Reps panel invites housing minister over ‘poor execution’ of Renewed Hope project

The house of representatives committee on urban development and regional planning has accused contractors of poorly executing the Renewed Hope estate project in Akwa Ibom.

During an oversight visit to Akwa Ibom over the weekend, the committee criticised the contractors for “substandard work” on the slum upgrade and road construction in Umu Etuk-Spencer Esin, Oron LGA.

Awaji-Inombek Abiante, chairman of the committee, said the project is also being poorly implemented in Uruan LGA and Uyo.

He said the projects have been funded by up to 30 percent and the work done is less than six percent.

The committee chairman said Ahmed Dangiwa, the minister of housing, should engage experienced contractors in the implementation of federal projects.

“The contractor that handled this Oron road project succeeded in wasting funds allocated to it on substandard materials,” Abiante said.

“You can see the visible deplorable state of a road newly constructed in July this year aiming to ameliorate the sufferings of the people living in this region. The committee is not happy with this situation.

“The three different contractors namely Springwell Intercontinental Resources, Tunsoye Trust Global Link and Hyosungs Nigeria Limited handling the 250 housing units in Uruan, Uyo capital city and this slum upgrade road in Oron local government area by Logine Limited, have pure intentions to sabotage the efforts of the renewed hope housing scheme of the President Bola Tinubu led administration.”

Abiante directed the clerk of the committee to invite the minister and contractors to appear before the panel on Thursday.

The Renewed Hope housing programme was conceptualised to cater for low and medium-income earners.

Under phase one, the ministry plans to deliver 50,000 housing units across Nigeria.