Ekpang Urges Cross River Landlords, Estate Valuers to Review Rents Amid Economic Hardship

The Cross River State Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, has appealed to landlords and estate valuers in the state to review their property rates and rents in view of the prevailing economic hardship.

Ekpang while speaking to newsmen noted that the current economic situation has placed an unbearable burden on vulnerable citizens hence the reason to review the rates.

“There’s a lot of sufferings already in the land. I appeal to landlords and of course, the estate valuers, the people that are managing our land that they should actually review their rates and rents".

“They should not take it too hard on the vulnerable citizens because things have been so terribly bad if you look at it very well. If we don’t encourage corruption, I wonder how some tenants will be able to pay some of this rent” he said.

The Commissioner stressed the need for collaboration among all actors in the housing and land sector to ensure fairness and affordability.

“I want us to work together as a group. I want to represent all the clusters very, very well,” Ekpang stated.

He also pledged commitment to repositioning land administration in the state under the leadership of Governor Senator Bassey Otu while ensuring it.

“And of course I want to see that Cross River State, under the watch of Senator Bassey Otu, on land matters is top notch and one of the best in Nigeria,” he added.

The appeal comes as residents across Calabar and other parts of the state continue to raise concerns over rising rents, agency fees and valuation charges.