The Cross River State House of Assembly has taken a bold step towards addressing the escalating rent crisis in Calabar and other parts of the state, as lawmakers deliberate on a proposal to ban housing agents accused of arbitrarily inflating rent prices.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Hon. Davies Etta, representing Abi State Constituency, raised a motion of urgent public importance, decrying what he described as “unreasonable, unprovoked, and economically destabilizing” rent hikes.
Etta blamed landlords and property agents for exploiting residents amid tough economic times, saying many old and poorly maintained apartments now attract outrageous rent prices.
“Buildings erected over two to three decades ago, many with leaking roofs and faulty plumbing, are being rented at unimaginable rates,” he said.
According to him, a self-contained apartment on Marian Road now goes for as high as ₦1.5 million annually, while in Calabar South, one-bedroom flats are rented between ₦800,000 and ₦1 million. In premium areas such as Parliamentary Extension and State Housing, rents for one- or two-bedroom flats exceed ₦2 million.
Etta condemned the “heartless” eviction notices served to tenants who fail to meet new rent demands, adding that some landlords demand two years’ rent upfront. He called on the House to establish a regulatory framework to balance landlords’ rights with tenants’ dignity and urged the Ministry of Housing to monitor rental practices.
In response, Speaker Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem hailed the motion as “timely and people-centered,” assuring that the Assembly would prioritize laws promoting affordable housing and fairness for all residents.
“This Assembly exists to serve the people. We will continue to work towards balance, fairness, and affordable housing across Cross River State,” the Speaker affirmed.
