Senate Considering Bill To Reduce House Rents – Dino Melaye

By Ogbolu George

Senator Dino Melaye (APC/Kogi West) has said the Senate is working on a bill aimed at reducing high rent paid for residential apartments across Nigeria.

Melaye disclosed this in a statement issued by the Director of Information at the housing arm of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Eno Olotu, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The lawmaker said the ‘Rent Edit’ bill would protect tenants and landlords.

He also said that the red chamber would ensure the passage of the bill before the end of the eighth Senate.

Corruption

According to the statement, Melaye, who spoke at the 2nd Abuja Housing and Investment Expo, also said corruption had hindered development and growth in the housing sector

He urged stakeholders to have a change of heart by putting the interest of the people first.

”Not everybody can own a house. The Rent Edit Bill will help guide and curb excessive rents in the Federal Capital Territory and the nation at large,” he said.

Affordable housing

Speaking at the event, Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, noted that the theme of this year’s event, ‘Housing and Investment for Economic Recovery,’ was apt considering the fact that the provision of affordable housing, investments and job creation would ensure economic recovery.

Fashola said his ministry was willing to collaborate with private sector players in order to enable citizens purchase affordable homes based on their incomes.