From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State House of Assembly has commenced legislative action on a bill aimed at regulating residential and business rent.
The bill entitled “A Bill for a Law to Control the Rent, Residential and Business Premises in Ebonyi State and Other Matters Connected Therewith, HAB/005/2025,” was sent to the House by the governor and passed first reading yesterday.
Leading the debate, the Leader of the House, Kingsley Ikoro, moved the motion for the bill to proceed to second reading. The motion was seconded by Ifeanyi Nwakpu, representing Ikwo North Constituency.
Ikoro described the bill as people-oriented and timely, noting that a significant number of court cases in the state stem from landlord-tenant disputes.
He stated that the bill would help regulate it and curb exploitation.
“Most times, when you rent a building, you are asked to pay for two years, only to discover hidden charges. It is burdensome for the people,” Ikoro said, urging his colleagues to support the passage of the bill.
Supporting the motion, Aloysius Nwodo, representing Ebonyi North, described the rent situation in the state as worrisome, saying landlords have contributed to the growing poverty among tenants.
He also highlighted the disconnect between landlords, caretakers and tenants.
Other lawmakers echoed similar concerns and called for the bill to be forwarded to a committee for thorough deliberation, affirming that the legislation, once passed, would serve the interest of residents and help resolve recurring rent-related conflicts.
Responding, Speaker Moses Ije-Odunwa announced the constitution of an ad-hoc committee to review the bill.
The Deputy Speaker, Chinedu Onah, was appointed chairman and other members include, Ikoro (Leader of the House), Nkemka Onuma, Arinze Chukwu, Aloysius Nwodo, Ifeanyi Nwakpu (Ikwo North), Chikaodili Nome (Ezza North), Chief Whip, Nkemka Onuma, Chinyere Nwogbaga (Ebonyi North East), and the Clerk of the House as secretary.
In another development, the speaker noted that the plenary marked the Assembly’s two-year anniversary, praising the commitment of members and the governor in driving legislative progress.
According to him, “I want to thank everybody and ask us to continue to give our 100 percent support to the governor, especially on developments like the establishment of the National Institute in Ukawu,” he stated.
As part of the commemoration, members including Victor Nwoke representing Abakaliki North Constituency and Celestine Ogba representing Onicha East Constituency among other lawmakers presented their achievements highlighting projects and initiatives carried out in their constituencies in the last two years.
