By Jonathan Katungo, Jos
The ambitious 2,000-unit housing project initiated by the Plateau State Government for workers under the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has remained stalled nearly a year after its flag-off, with concerns mounting over administrative bottlenecks and an unresolved financial dispute.
The project, launched under the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang in Bassa Local Government Area, was expected to ease housing shortages and provide affordable accommodation for workers. However, construction work is yet to commence, raising questions about what has held the project back despite initial optimism.
Sources familiar with the development point to a financial arrangement involving contractor David Sabo Kente, chairman of DSK Group, and Architect Molkat Mutfwang, the governor’s elder brother. It was alleged that Kente advanced ₦100 million with an agreement that ₦150 million would be repaid within six months, a deal reportedly tied to other smaller project engagements.
The unresolved repayment has been described as a source of tension between the parties, with insiders suggesting that the dispute has affected confidence in the project’s execution. Efforts to mediate the matter, including interventions involving members of the governor’s family, have reportedly not yielded significant progress.
At the same time, concerns over financial accountability have grown, with previous contractors said to have approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over funds already expended on the project. This has further fueled scrutiny of how the project has been managed.
However, Kente has attributed the delay to a range of operational and administrative challenges rather than financial disputes. He pointed to the absence of key approvals, including the Certificate of Occupancy in the NLC’s name and approved building plans, as critical obstacles preventing work from commencing.
He also cited security challenges at the project site, explaining that requests for police protection to safeguard equipment and personnel were not granted. According to him, this left the site vulnerable and contributed to the inability to mobilize effectively.
Kente further noted that rising construction costs and a pattern of unsuccessful attempts by previous contractors—reportedly up to 28—have compounded the difficulties surrounding the project.
On the other hand, Architect Molkat Mutfwang has rejected claims linking him to any financial wrongdoing. He maintained that the funds in question were not a personal loan but part of a broader collaborative effort connected to housing initiatives across different locations.
He also challenged the narrative surrounding the transaction, arguing that it has been mischaracterized and misrepresented. According to him, the situation has been misunderstood, and he remains prepared to provide documents to clarify his role and responsibilities in the project.
As uncertainty continues to surround the housing scheme, stakeholders have called for greater transparency and urgent resolution of all outstanding issues. The prolonged delay has raised concerns about project accountability and the future of the much-anticipated housing initiative meant to benefit workers across Plateau State.
Financial Dispute, Bureaucratic Hurdles Stall Plateau NLC Housing Project
