Anambra students march over rent increase
Members of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council, Anambra State axis, have raised the alarm over what they described as unjust and exploitative increase in rent and
Members of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council, Anambra State axis, have raised the alarm over what they described as unjust and exploitative increase in rent and agency fees across student host communities.
The students, who staged a peaceful protest at the House of Assembly to register their grievances, called on the Assembly to intervene and introduce regulations to curb arbitrary charges imposed by landlords and agents.
NANS Chairman in the state, Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Chukwuemeka, said the protest was informed by the need to safeguard the welfare of students living in host communities of tertiary institutions across the state.
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He lamented that landlords and agents operated without regulation, supervision, or accountability, describing their practices as arbitrary, oppressive and detrimental to students and their families.
He said only a comprehensive legal framework would bring lasting relief and sanity to the housing sector.
“We are here to appeal to the legislature to enact laws that will regulate and standardise rent in student communities, as well as fix reasonable and uniform agency fees,” he said.
Addressing the demonstrators on behalf of the Speaker, Majority Leader and member representing Ekwusigo Constituency, Ikenna Ofodeme, hailed the students for adopting a peaceful and lawful approach in presenting their grievances.
He assured them that the House was already taking legislative steps to address the issue, noting that the burden of rising rents extended beyond students to parents and guardians.
According to him, the 8th Assembly has commenced work on a bill aimed at tackling excesses in the housing sector affecting students, urging the protesters to remain calm as efforts are underway to resolve the matter.
Also speaking, member representing Aguata I Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Education, Anayo Okpalaeke, reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring a swift resolution of the crisis.
He expressed optimism that the concerns raised would soon become a thing of the past, saying the legislature would act decisively within a short timeframe.
