The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council has accused landlords and their estate agents of worsening the hardship being experienced by most Nigerians through exorbitant rents and levies.
These actions, according to the professional body, have placed an unbearable financial burden on many citizens, particularly civil servants, artisans, and low-income earners, who are already grappling with the prevailing economic challenges.
In a statement signed by the NUJ chairman, Wasiu Ajadosu and secretary, Adeyemi Aboderin, the union warned house agents, especially, against what it termed as their exploitative tendencies, calling on government at all levels to rein in these individuals.
The Point correspondent observed that many radio stations and newspaper reports have been condemning the excesses of landed property owners who inflate rents indiscriminately and charge levies that are beyond the means of desperate families who need shelter and shops.
In Osun State, for instance, residents have been bemoaning exorbitant rents being demanded by landlords, in connivance with their agents, saying a situation whereby estate agents insist on collecting 30 percent of rent should not be tolerated.
Discussing the disturbing development at its recent congress, journalists in Osun State maintained that the exploitative trend is not only insensitive, it also undermines the dignity and welfare of residents, leading to an increase in homelessness, displacement of families, and psychological distress among the populace.
“The union noted with grave concern, the rising hardship being inflicted on residents by the continuous exploitation through exorbitant charges, which include unjustified agency fees, multiple levies, and frequent rent hikes. These actions have placed an unbearable financial burden on many citizens, particularly civil servants, artisans, and low-income earners, who are already grappling with the prevailing economic realities.
“Osun NUJ noted that this exploitative trend is not only insensitive, but it also undermines the dignity and welfare of residents, leading to an increase in homelessness, displacement of families, and psychological distress among the populace.
“The NUJ, therefore, called on the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Osun State Government, Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, and housing regulatory authorities, to take urgent steps to regulate the operations of house agents and landlords to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable residents.
“The union also urged the Osun State House of Assembly to consider enacting laws that will protect tenants from arbitrary fees and ensure a fair housing system in the state. The Osun NUJ then warned it will not hesitate to deploy its platforms to expose and condemn any further acts of exploitation by unscrupulous agents, and will continue to advocate for fairness, affordability, and accountability in the housing sector,” it read.
Meanwhile, the body has urged the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu to expedite action on payment of minimum wage to workers, wondering why it has been difficult to fulfill the agreement signed after a series of Labour/Government deliberations.
In another development, the journalists drew the attention of the Federal Government to the deplorable state of Ibadan/Ilesa/Akure Expressway, which has become a death trap for motorists and other road users.
According to the union, the bad condition of the road has forced some drivers to ply one-way on that road, which in most cases, had, in the past, resulted in fatal accidents leading to the loss of lives of promising Nigerians, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Osun NUJ recalled that about five students of Osun State University were lost last month, due to the same reason.
The union therefore appealed to the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, as well as the Federal Road Maintenance Agency to as a matter of urgency, take a decisive step on the condition of the said road, in order to put a stop to the incessant and avoidable loss of lives, due to the bad condition of the federal highway that passes through the state.