Nov. 17, 2024

The House of Representatives has invited the Minister of Urban Development and Regional Planning over poor implementation of the Renewed Hope Estate Project in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom.

The House of Representatives also invited the four contractors handling the project to appear on Nov. 21.

The invitation was contained in a statement by Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, the chairman of the Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning on Sunday in Abuja.

According to Abiante, it will expose the committee to the challenges and limitations propelling the current unsatisfactory level of the project implementation.

The lawmaker, who led other members of the committee to inspect the projects in the state, stressed the need to engage competent contractors to ensure proper implementation of the project.

He decried the poor job done on the Umu Etuk-Spencer Esin slum upgrade road network in Oron in the state, while condemning the level of implementation of the 250 housing units in Uyo.

He said that in spite of being funded up to 30 per cent each by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the work done so far was less than six percent.

Abiante added that the project, which was awarded in June 2024, ought to have been completed since September 2024.

He stressed the need for the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, to engage experienced contractors in the implementation of federal projects.

He called for a total reconstruction of the Umu Etuk-Spencer Esin road slum upgrade.

“The contractor that handled the Oron road project succeeded in wasting funds allocated to it on substandard materials.

“As you can see, the deplorable state of a road newly constructed in July aiming to ameliorate the sufferings of the people living in this region.

“The committee is not happy with this situation.

“The three contractors handling the project have intentions to sabotage the efforts of the renewed hope housing scheme of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration,” he said.

He gave the names of the contractors as Springwell Intercontinental Resources, Tunsoye Trust Global Link, and Hyosungs Nigeria Limited.