By Solomon OKPO
Calabar, The Cross River State House of Assembly has begun deliberations on a proposal to ban housing agents across Calabar and other parts of the state, citing their alleged involvement in arbitrarily inflating rent prices.
Lawmakers say the move is in response to growing public concern over the rising cost of housing, which they claim is being driven in part by unscrupulous practices among property agents. According to the Assembly, these agents are exploiting the housing market, making it increasingly difficult for residents to afford decent accommodation.
During the plenary session, members of the Assembly described the situation as a pressing economic issue, linking it to the broader challenge of rising living costs in the state.
“This exploitation by agents is not only unethical but also contributes significantly to the hardship faced by ordinary citizens,” one lawmaker stated during the session.
While the details of the proposed ban are still being finalized, the Assembly emphasized the need for stricter regulation of the housing sector to ensure transparency and affordability for residents.
The proposed measure, if passed into law, could reshape the real estate landscape in Cross River State, particularly in urban centers like Calabar, where housing demand remains high.
