House committee criticizes contractors over delays in Akwa Ibom projects

The progress of the Renewed Hope Estate Project in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, has been criticized by the House Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning.

The four contractors working on the project were chastised by committee chairman Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante Dagomie, who emphasized the necessity of hiring qualified contractors to guarantee correct execution.

Poor work on the Umu Etuk-Spencer Esin slum upgrading road network in Oron is the reason for the committee’s discontent. Even though the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has provided up to 30% of the funding, less than 6% of the work has been completed thus far. The project should have been finished by September 2024, having been granted in June 2024.

Hon. Abiante emphasized that for federal projects, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, should work with honest and qualified contractors. The Umu Etuk-Spencer Esin road slum renovation needs to be completely rebuilt, he demanded, pointing out that the contractor used inferior materials.

Accusations have been made against the contractors managing the 250 housing units in Uruan, Uyo Capital City, and the slum upgrading road in Oron Local Government Area for undermining the Renewed Hope housing initiative, which is run by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The contractors in question include Hyosungs Nigeria Limited, Tunsoye Trust Global Link, Springwell Intercontinental Resources, and Logine Limited.

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To invite the four contractors and the Minister of Urban Development and Regional Planning to address the committee, Abiante gave the clerk instructions. The purpose of this action is to highlight the obstacles and constraints preventing the initiatives from being implemented.

As part of its effort to create affordable housing, the federal government is working on the Renewed Hope Estate Project. The government’s ability to reach its housing targets has come under scrutiny due to the project’s poor implementation and slow pace.

The Renewed Hope Housing Program intends to provide 50,000 housing units throughout Nigeria, according to a previous statement made by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development. It is anticipated that the program will improve lives, increase economic development, and create jobs.

The oversight visit by the House Committee emphasizes the necessity of transparency and accountability in project execution. Achieving the development objectives set forth by the government depends on contractors meeting the necessary requirements.