NIHE repair delays need resolution MLA

Ballymena UUP Councillor Stephen Nicholl and North Antrim UUP MLA Robin Swann pictured outside a local Housing Executive property awaiting repairs.

The UUP assemblyman said: “While following up requests from a number of constituents who have been waiting on repairs since the beginning of July, I was shocked to be advised that contractors for NIHE had basically downed tools. Some having lost contracts from September 1, 2014, are not prepared to order material to complete tasks in case the material cannot be delivered and the job completed by the end of August fearing they would not be paid for any work done,” he claimed.

“Regrettably those who suffer due to these delays continue to be the social housing tenants that Minister McCausland has responsibility for,” said Mr Swann.

UUP Cr Stephen Nicholl added: “The Minister has made various comments about changing the way things have been done in the NIHE and improving the service provided to tenants. Regrettably on this evidence the standard of service provided to tenants has slipped even further under the Minister’s watch.”

A NIHE spokesperson responded: “The procurement of this new maintenance contract is almost complete. The Housing Executive accepts that that there has been some delays to some of the repairs being carried out and apologises to our tenants for this. The Housing Executive will do all that it can to provide a smooth transition from the current contractual period to the next so ensuring that tenants receive the maintenance repair service that they expect.”