The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) and the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development have raised concerns about the pace and quality of work on a Renewed Hope Affordable Housing Programme project in Delta State, after an inspection revealed substantial outstanding construction work.
The concerns emerged during a visit by the FRC South-south Verification Team to the 96-unit housing development located along the Asaba-Uvwie-Ekpan axis. The team reported that only four of the 96 housing units were nearing completion, while roofing and other infrastructure components remained incomplete or had yet to be addressed.
Team Lead Bede Ogueri Anyanwu expressed dissatisfaction with the progress recorded at the site, saying the level of work did not reflect the objectives of the housing programme.
He called on M/s Goodnews Creative Ideas Limited and M/s First Class Capital Project Limited to return to the site and complete outstanding work, particularly roofing.
The team also raised concerns about roofing sheets that had reportedly been damaged by wind on sections where work had been completed. The damage prompted questions about the quality of materials used and the standard of workmanship on the project.
Beyond the housing units themselves, the verification team sought explanations for the failure to commence several supporting components. These reportedly included electricity supply, road construction, drainage works and an environmental impact assessment, with contracts said to have been awarded since 2024.
The outstanding components are important to the functionality of the development, as housing projects require supporting infrastructure to provide residents with safe and usable living environments.
A representative of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in Delta State attributed some of the challenges to inadequate feasibility studies before contracts were awarded. The representative also expressed dissatisfaction with the extent of work carried out.
The observations have raised questions about project planning, contract execution and monitoring. Where feasibility assessments are inadequate, projects may encounter implementation difficulties, although the specific contribution of such shortcomings to the delays at this site would require further clarification.
The FRC stressed that contractors must deliver projects in line with approved specifications, timelines and quality standards. Its intervention reflects the commission’s concern that public projects should meet their intended objectives and provide the infrastructure for which public resources have been committed.
The inspection findings point to outstanding work that must be addressed before the housing development can fulfil its intended purpose. However, the information provided did not specify a revised completion date or include responses from the contractors named by the verification team.
