Nigeria Newshour, a notable online newspaper, has called on the Imo State Government led by Senator Hope Uzodimma, to take urgent action to regulate the cost of renting houses in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State and its neighbourhoods.
A statement signed by the Editor of the media organization, Mr. Augustine Agwulonu, and made available to newsmen in Owerri, recently, said Landlords and their agents were reportedly charging exorbitant and unsustainable rates, thereby making it difficult for people to rent houses in the city.
Condemning the ugly development, Agwulonu said that two-bedroom flat costs between N800, 000.00 and N1.2 million, saying that the lowest rate is N700,000.00.
He described this as unheard-of, as it is far higher than what is obtainable in other states in Nigeria.
Comparing this to that of Abia State, a neighbouring State, he noted that a similar apartment costs between N200, 000.00 and N300,000.00 there, and wondered why it is higher in Imo State that does not have factories and companies for job creation.
Continuing, he averred, “The skyrocketing rent prices have left residents of the State, particularly Civil Servants and traders, struggling to make ends meet and stifling the ease of doing business in Owerri.
Nigeria Newshour urged the government and other relevant authorities to intervene and ensure that the pressing issue is addressed, stating that it will make the people heave a sigh of relief.
