Cross River State lawmakers appeal to landlords to reduce or moderate house rents, citing economic hardship faced by residents in places including Calabar. The appeal follows a motion moved during a plenary session, with lawmakers saying sharp rent increases have become “unreasonable” and destabilising for tenants.
The motion highlights that rent hikes affect civil servants, students and small business owners, including cases where landlords demand high amounts upfront and issue sudden eviction notices. Reported rent levels vary by area and property type, with figures cited ranging from around ₦800,000 to ₦1 million for some one-bedroom apartments, up to about ₦2 million or more in parts of Calabar. The Assembly calls for tenant protections and action to regulate rental practices, including oversight of housing agents.
While Nigerian Eye focuses on the motion’s details—such as concerns about agents advising landlords and calls for a regulatory framework—the Punch reports the appeal in broader terms, emphasizing compassion and restraint by landlords. Both accounts present the same core message: authorities seek a reduction in rents while balancing landlords’ interests and addressing the hardship driving increased housing costs.
