Cross River State House of Assembly yesterday moved to provide legislation to regulate property rental and leasing in the state.
The motion, which was sponsored by the member representing Abi Constituency, Mr Davies Etta, is titled ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance on the Unreasonable Hike in House Rent in Calabar Metropolis.’
Presenting the motion during plenary yesterday, Etta noted that residents have been lamenting the unreasonable increment.
”As we speak, a single self-contained room on Marian Road now goes for N1.5 million per annum in Calabar South, while a one-bedroom apartment costs between N800,000 and N1 million.
“In Parliamentary Extension, State Housing and Calabar International Convention Centre, CICC, areas, tenants are being asked to pay N2 million and above for a one-bedroom or two-bedroom flats.
“This unregulated rental inflation is not only heartless; it is economically destabilising, socially dangerous and breeds homelessness, desperation and urban inequality, contradicting the principle of fairness,” he noted.
The member representing Calabar Municipality, Mr Stanley Nsemo, in his contribution to the debate, emphasised the urgent need to regulate rent, as well as the activities of housing agents in Calabar Metropolis.
Other lawmakers who contributed to the motion were unanimous in their support, noting that housing is not a luxury, but a basic human right which the 10th Assembly would strive to protect.
Speaker Elvert Ayambem, while restating the 10th Assembly’s commitment to make laws that would make life easier for citizens, commended the sponsor and members for their concern towards the well-being of residents.
Ayambem noted that the incessant increase in house rent is causing untold hardship for residents.
He said in view of this, the House would soon commence legislative procedures for a law to regulate house rent across the state. (NAN)
