By Gloria Ikibah
The House Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning has expressed displeasure over the poor implementation of the Renewed Hope Estate Project in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Committee also condemned the substandard work done on the Umu Etuk-Spencer Esin slum upgrade road network in Oron, describing the situation as unacceptable.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante Dagomie, criticized the four contractors involved in the projects, stressing the need to engage competent professionals to ensure proper execution. This was during an oversight visit by the Committee to inspect the projects in the state.
Rep. Abiante expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the 250 housing units in Uyo, handled by three separate contractors. He noted that despite receiving 30% funding from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, only about 6% of the work had been completed.
“The project, awarded in June 2024, was expected to be completed by September 2024,” the lawmaker stated, adding that the slow pace of work was unacceptable.
He also emphasized the need for the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, to prioritize the engagement of reliable contractors for federal projects.
On the Oron road project, Rep. Abiante called for a complete reconstruction, citing the use of substandard materials. “The contractor handling this Oron road project succeeded in wasting funds allocated to it. As you can see, the deplorable state of a newly constructed road from July this year is unacceptable. The Committee is not happy with this situation,” he said.
The Chairman further alleged that the contractors Springwell Intercontinental Resources, Tunsoye Trust Global Link, Hyosungs Nigeria Limited, and Logine Limited had demonstrated actions tantamount to sabotaging the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He directed the Committee’s clerk to summon the Minister of Urban Development and Regional Planning alongside the four contractors for a hearing on Thursday. This, he said, would help uncover the challenges hindering the satisfactory implementation of the projects.