The Bauchi State government has been called upon to as a matter of urgency, allocate the 2,500 housing units constructed to beneficiaries because they were fast deteriorating.

The chairman of the Committee on Housing in the Bauchi House of Assembly, Saidu Darazo, made the call during an oversight visit of the committee to the housing project sites on Sunday.

The Bauchi State government had constructed 2,500 housing units under its mass housing programme, across six local government areas of the state.

The LGAs are Bauchi, Dass, Ningi, Misau, Jama’are and Katagum.

Mr Darazo said it was imperative for the government to expedite action on allocation to beneficiaries, to avoid deterioration and damage to the houses.

“The houses, when put into use, will prevent loss of money through maintenance, and will also provide the much needed housing needs to citizens,” he said.

The lawmaker commended the government for providing affordable housing to civil servants, noting that it would cushion the hardship being experienced by workers in the area of rent.

Mr Darazo also expressed satisfaction with the standard and quality of the project in the sites visited.

He warned contractors that abandoned the projects in Katagum, and Jama’are, to move back to the sites and complete their work.

Responding, the Overseeing Director of Housing, in the Ministry of Housing, Hamma Mohammed, explained that the 2,500 housing units consisted of two and three-bedroom apartments.

Mr Mohammed said that all the houses had been completed, except for a few that were damaged by the windstorm and were currently under repairs.

According to him, the project will be completed soonest, adding that the delay in completion was due to the current inflation rate, which is also pushing up the prices of building materials.

 According to him, access roads, drainage, portable water, electricity and other infrastructure, had been provided and the houses will soon be ready for use.

 The director said that the Ministry for Housing and Environment had already presented an allocation plan to the government and awaiting approval.

 (NAN)