Several Plateau residents have decried the high cost of housing in the state.
They expressed this in a survey conducted on Sunday in Jos to ascertain the housing situation.

There is a recent outcry from many quarters regarding an astronomical hike in the cost of housing and space rentals across the state.

Kachollom Michael, a hairstylist paying N120,000 as rent for her salon for some years, said she was slammed with a 15 per cent increase.

Ms Michael, who said she struggled to pay even the N120,000 because of the harsh economic reality, said she might be forced out of the business because of unaffordable accommodation.

She accused the agents of making life unbearable for tenants, calling on relevant authorities to check the activities of such agents in Plateau.

“I am calling on the Plateau government and other authorities to help us check the activities of these agents,” said Ms Michael. “If not, they will force people to start stealing to feed in the state.”

Similarly, Naomi Elijah, a teacher and single parent renting a single room in Rayfield, said she had to relocate to another part of Jos, which was cheaper and could accommodate her budget.

Ms Elijah also called on the state government and relevant authorities to step in and salvage the situation “before it gets out of hand.”

Kitkabam Manasseh, an agent with Aduwamai and Company Limited, in charge of a large percentage of properties in Rayfield and other parts of Jos metropolis, said the hike represented the general cost of living across the country.

Mr Manasseh advised tenants to be patient and pray for provision, saying it was not the fault of the agents or landlords.

” I cannot speak for every other agent or landlord. But what I know is the hike you are complaining about is a reflection of the general cost of living in every area of life, not just the housing sector.

“The truth is, on whether government authorities should sanction agents, are they the ones that buy building materials for us to build our houses?

“This hike in living is even the government that has caused it, not the agents, so I can only advise that every tenant should pray to God for provision to be able to cater to their needs, not to complain of the activities of agents,” the realtor explained.

If there were any known housing schemes by the government or individuals in the state, Mr Manaseeh said he was unaware of any such schemes in Plateau.

(NAN)