15th July, 2025 | 6:52 PM
First of all, I wish to appreciate H.E. Gov. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia for hearing our cry on high cost of rental apartments in Benue state. I appreciate the Youthful Speaker Hon. Aondona Dajoh for always coming through for us. I appreciate Hon. Gbenda Terver who’s working tirelessly to cut down Illegal Levies in Benue.
The speaker was represented by his Chief of staff and Chief Security Officer of Benue State House of Assembly. Chairman Property Agents and Landlord Association of Nigeria, Benue State chapter was around with his people, President Surveyor’s Association Benue state was available, President Building materials Dealers Association of Benue State, Presidents of Students Union, tenants, media Houses and other stakeholders were in attendance too.
Aim of the meeting was to discuss factors powering high cost of apartments in Benue state as listed below:
– insecurity – Landlords – High cost of materials – End time (satanic factors). – Competition – High demand
– State should go into real estate business and Agents.
On our part as tenants, we emphasised that house agents are real cause of high cost of rental apartments in Benue state. A scenario where some Agents pushed landlords to increase rent for their benefits. We proposed that State Government should scrapped out role of agents in-between tenants and landlords.
We proposed that State Government should create a Department in charge of Regulating real estate/housing business, tenants and landlords in Benue state.
All landlords should register with the state government department incharge, landlords should build houses inline with government standards and approval.
Government department in charge to create a website for uploading of new houses and vacant ones in accordance with government laws for tenants.
FOR NOW WE AGREED ON THE FOLLOWING:
– ensure you are dealing with registered agents. Let them show you ID card or certificate of membership. Agent without ID card or certificate of membership is fake and are the ones causing problem for us.
– Taskforce to start arrest and prosecution of agents causing issues in town. Report such person to head of agents task force team Mr. Idris 08032343327, report to Hon. Gbenda office or inbox me if you encounter challenges.
– agents no more collect 10% of properties above 900k, 5% is the agreed percentage for now. Only properties below 900k goes with 10%.
– inspection fee should be 2k payable when one is interested in the property.
Alot were discussed, above is the summary as we await for Benue State House of Assembly Bill on tenancy and landlords. There will be a public hearing on the bill before approval. I’ll communicate date here soon.
My apologies to agents that we had misunderstanding before and after the meetings….it wasn’t easy 😂
God bless Benue State
Cr: Zege’Orkwande