The lawmaker representing Akure South Constituency 1 in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olajide Oguntodu, has expressed concern over the hike and increasing cost of house rent in Akure, the state capital, stressing that it places undue pressure on families, young people, and low-income earners.
While describing the situation as inhumane and unfair, Oguntodu assured that the legislative arm in the state will intervene in order to make life bearable for the people, who he said are already grappling with the harsh economic climate.
The lawmaker’s stance was in connection with the protest embarked on by the youths in Akure on Tuesday, who kicked against skyrocketing house rent in the state, which they labelled exorbitant and arbitrary, as well as unchecked by the state government.
Oguntodu, who vowed to sponsor a bill that will provide a legal framework for the regulation of house rents and property sales in state, disclosed that he will also move for the establishment of an appropriate regulatory agency to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the housing sector.
According to the lawmaker, housing is a basic necessity, which he emphasised must be regulated in a manner that protects both tenants and property owners.
He said: “I want to assure you that your voices have been heard. As one of your elected representatives in the Ondo State House of Assembly and a member of the legislative arm of government, I consider it my responsibility to intervene constructively.
“I hereby assure the good people of Akure that I will take this matter to the floor of the House and initiate legislative action aimed at addressing the arbitrary increase in house rent and unethical practices in property transactions.”
