Residents of Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, have voiced their frustration over the sharp increase in house rents by landlords, agents, and lawyers, urging the government to take immediate action.
Many residents lament that the rising costs have become a heavy burden on civil servants, public workers, and businesspeople whose earnings can no longer meet their basic needs.
According to Mr. Pascal Nwafor, landlords are increasingly favoring “Yahoo boys” willing to pay exorbitant rents, leaving genuine tenants struggling. He shared that his rent for a 3-bedroom flat doubled from ₦450,000 to ₦900,000 within two years, forcing many families to relocate to villages.
Mrs. Ifeoma Okeke, a businesswoman, alleged that landlords may have colluded to raise rents uniformly. She recounted her own experience where her rent increased from ₦550,000 to ₦1.1 million, pushing several tenants to vacate their homes.
Both residents called for government intervention to regulate rent increments and enact policies with a human touch. They noted that even old buildings are subject to the same sharp hikes, often justified by the country’s economic situation.
Responding to the concerns, Ebonyi State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Moses Odunwa, assured residents that the legislature would address the matter in an upcoming session
