Monday, June 1, 2026 - Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on some federal housing projects under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, warning that contractors who have failed to meet contractual obligations may face sanctions.
Speaking with journalists on Sunday after inspecting the
Renewed Hope Housing Project in Katsina, the minister said contractors who
abandoned projects without formally seeking extensions of time or contract
variations violated the terms of their agreements.
He stressed that contract agreements are legally binding
documents and must be respected by all parties.
He said, “It is not good for someone who has signed a
contract agreement and said he will finish the work within a specified time to
delay the project for whatever reason without extending the duration.
“If you violate a contract agreement, then definitely you
could always be asked to bear some responsibility, pay a fine, or fulfil some
obligation. This is contract management, and it is practised everywhere in the
world.”
The minister disclosed that he had directed ministry
officials to submit a detailed report on all ongoing contracts, including the
dates of award, project durations and current status, before any action is
taken against erring contractors.
“I have asked for a report on each and every contract taking
place here. We should know when the contract was awarded, the duration of the
contract and the status of the contract as it is today. That is the only basis
we have to take action on each individual contractor,” he said.
According to him, the report is expected by Tuesday or
Wednesday, after which the ministry will determine appropriate measures.
Darma maintained that contractors have a legal obligation to
notify the ministry whenever circumstances prevent them from completing
projects within the agreed timeline.
“If you cannot finish the contract in six months for
whatever reason, whether it is flooding, lack of funds, ill health or any other
challenge, you come back to the ministry and adjust the contract accordingly.
What we are saying is that none of them did that. So, as far as we are
concerned, they have violated the law of contract,” he said.
The minister also rejected claims that delayed government
payments justify project abandonment.
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