The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has expressed his discontent regarding the N85 billion contract designated for infrastructure provision in the Wasa Affordable Housing project situated in the Wasa District of Abuja.

This dissatisfaction was voiced during his visit to the road construction site for the housing estate, accompanied by the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, and other government officials.

The acting Coordinator of the Satellite Town Development Department, Mr. Olusegun Olusan, clarified that the contract for infrastructure provision had been initially awarded in 2014 at a cost of N26 billion but was subsequently revised to N85 billion in 2018.

He informed the minister that a total of N21 billion had been disbursed to the contractor, leaving a balance of N64 billion.

The progress of the project was reported to be at 21.4 percent.

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Regarding the housing scheme, the coordinator explained that the government’s role was to offer land and infrastructure, while private developers would construct houses and sell them to the public at affordable prices.

At the project’s inception, a two-bedroom flat was intended to be sold to the public at N7 million.

However, Minister Wike expressed dissatisfaction with this arrangement, asserting that it was not commendable for the government to invest N85 billion in infrastructure and land, only to cede the land to private developers who would build and sell without government participation.

He argued for a more equitable partnership, suggesting that the government should retain a portion of the development to determine affordable housing prices for the masses, who cannot afford a N7 million house.

The minister emphasized the need to revisit the project for proper planning to ensure that the government benefits from the initiative and that the houses remain accessible to their intended beneficiaries.

Regarding project delays, Wike stated that contracts would be awarded with careful consideration of available funds to avoid abandonment.