NUJ reminds Cross River Governor Otu to ban extortionist activities of property agents

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By Akpan David, Calabar

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), in Cross River State have reminded the state governor, Prince Bassey Otu to ensure speedy implementation of the banning of the operations of property agents in the state.

They expressed worry that their extortionist activities have led to the violation of tenants’ rights and plunged many into untoward conditions and lamentations.

In a communique released at the end of their Congress and signed by Joseph Abasi-Abasi – Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee and Ubon Ekanem – Member, the union said house rents in major towns in the state have become very astronomical

They blamed both landlords and property agents of conniving to increase house rents beyond allowable limits.

“This is sheer extortion by both landlords and their agents”, members of the union lamented during the Congress, presided over by the he Vice Chairman, Comrade Sunny Inah.

They said the state government had promised you intervene in the situation in order to assuage the plight of the tenants.

The union argued that even houses that were built in the 1960s and 1970s when building materials were quite affordable “yet their owners still increase the rents to high heaven.”

The union the State Government for the ongoing urban renewal and beautification programme leading to the upgrading and resurfacing of some major roads in the Calabar metropolis.

They however called on security agencies in the state to sustain their collaboration and to step up their surveillance and other operations within and outside the state capital to nib in the bud miscreant attacks and activities, especially this festive period.