Drama in Senate as lawmakers clash over N92b housing debt, project visibility

The Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development became a battleground of accusations and counterarguments on Wednesday as lawmakers scrutinised the Ministry of Housing over its N92 billion contractor debt and alleged lack of project visibility under its 2024 budget performance.

Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) spearheaded the critique, lambasting the ministry for failing to deliver tangible housing projects in Bauchi State and other regions.

“This is music to our ears,” Ningi declared, expressing disbelief at the ministry’s claims of constructing 7,522 housing units nationwide, of which 3,388 have been completed. “I’ve been a senator for over a year, and I’ve never seen or heard of these projects in my constituency. Are these housing units a reality for Nigerians or just on paper?”

He also questioned the ministry’s transparency, citing N22.6 billion unaccounted for from the 2023 supplementary budget.

“How can we approve the 2025 budget when the 2024 allocations remain unfulfilled?” Ningi asked, demanding clarity on project locations and financial accounting,” he said.

Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South) countered Ningi’s criticism, defending the ministry’s performance and project timelines.

“You don’t acquire land, do surveys, and build houses in one day,” Ibrahim argued. “The ministry was granted an extension for capital projects in 2024. Let’s wait before dismissing their efforts.”

However, his remarks provoked an uproar, with senators accusing him of acting as a spokesperson for the ministry rather than letting its representatives respond.
Several senators highlighted the plight of 6,455 contractors owed a total of N92 billion by the ministry.

Sen. Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) lamented the financial struggles of contractors who borrowed funds to execute government projects.

“These hardworking Nigerians have been abandoned and rendered useless because the ministry failed to honor its obligations,” Ngwu said, calling for a special intervention fund to clear the backlog.

Amid the heated exchanges, Committee Chairman Sen. Aminu Tambuwal intervened, criticizing the ministry’s lack of preparedness and ordering its representatives to return on Monday with detailed reports.

“This committee will not tolerate half-baked presentations,” Tambuwal stated. “You must come back with comprehensive data on project locations, financial breakdowns, and plans to address contractor debts.”

The contentious session left several unresolved issues included where the housing units being constructed are located, and why are some states excluded? What happened to the N22.6 billion from the 2023 budget? and how the ministry will address the N92 billion owed to contractors?

The clash underscored growing concerns over Nigeria’s housing deficit and the effectiveness of government programs.

While some senators defended the ministry’s efforts, others insisted on concrete results to restore public trust.

As the debate continues, the ministry faces heightened scrutiny ahead of its next appearance before the Senate.