Half of Katsina’s Renewed Hope housing units are still unfinished — Minister

Housing and Urban Development Minister Muttaqha Darma has uncovered major inconsistencies in official reports on the federal government’s Renewed Hope housing project in Katsina State, revealing that only about 130 of the 250 units claimed to be completed are actually finished.

The discovery followed an unannounced inspection of the project site, where the minister carried out a physical verification that contradicted information documents submitted to the ministry.

While reports indicated that all 250 housing units had been completed, the inspection showed that nearly half – about 120 units – remain unfinished, despite the contracts being awarded about 18 months ago.

The housing project, awarded in December 2024 on a six-month timetable, was expected to be completed by June 2025. However, more than a year after the deadline, several contractors have yet to deliver key components of the project, including housing blocks and basic road infrastructure.

Expressing dissatisfaction during the visit, Darma criticized the contractors for failing to meet agreed deadlines without formally asking for extensions as required by the contract terms.

“It is unacceptable for contractors to delay projects beyond the agreed timescales without proper approval. None of them have requested extensions, which amounts to a breach of contract,” he said.

The minister also rejected allegations of funding constraints, stressing that contractors did not follow due process in dealing with project delays.

In addition to the delays, the ministry has identified early signs of structural defects in some completed buildings, raising concerns about the quality of construction.

Darma warned that sub-standard work will not be accepted, stressing that contractors will be required to rectify all defects before any delivery.

“If we find these houses in bad condition, we will not accept them. All defects must be repaired before completion,” he said.

He ordered ministry officials to convene an urgent meeting with all contractors involved and ordered a full audit of the project. The audit is expected to detail the identity of contractors, mobilization timelines, contract terms, funds disbursed and actual levels of progress.

The Katsina housing project is part of the federal government’s broader plan to build over 15,000 housing units nationwide through budget financing, public-private partnerships, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Housing Authority.

The latest findings highlight the ongoing challenges of implementing the program, even as the administration enters its final phase.

Reaffirming his commitment to completing the project, the minister said a technical team will be sent for a full evaluation, adding that the aim is to deliver most of the units before the end of the administration.

“Housing is for people, not animals. We need to ensure these projects are completed and habitable,” he said.

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