The Housing Crisis in Calabar: A Growing Concern
Calabar, once known for its affordable living and serene environment, has transformed into a city where housing costs have become unmanageable for many residents. From Marian to Parliamentary Extension and Calabar South, house rents have skyrocketed to as high as N1.5 million for a one-bedroom apartment, forcing many to relocate, cohabit, or live in deteriorating conditions.
The cost of renting a home in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, has reached an all-time high, with one-bedroom apartments now costing around N600,000 to N700,000, N800,000, N1 million, or more, depending on the location. This increase has led to a significant affordability crisis, with many struggling to afford even basic accommodations.
Factors Contributing to the Crisis
Several factors contribute to the rising rent prices. Increased demand from students, the influence of house agents, and landlords viewing property as a long-term investment are among the primary causes. House agents, in particular, are seen as having a stranglehold on the rental market, often dictating rent prices to landlords who then pass the burden to tenants.
Residents blame house agents for exploiting tenants and call for a structured housing policy and better regulation by the state government. These agents, often without regard for tenant welfare, dictate rent prices to landlords, leading to significant increases. A one-bedroom flat that cost around N200,000 a few years ago now goes for N700,000, N800,000 to N1.5 million in some locations, especially in the heart of Calabar metropolis.
This is a staggering increase that is unfair and unjustifiable, especially considering the fact that many of these houses were built over 10 to 15 years ago. The situation is even more dire for those seeking a one-room self-contain, which now costs over N400,000. This is sheer wickedness, given that Cross River State is not an industrial or high-paying civil service state. Many residents are struggling to make ends meet, and the exorbitant rent is pushing them to the wall.
Voices from the Community
An activist and public affairs analyst, Dr. Efio-Ita Nyok, decried the high cost of rent, attributing it to greed and wickedness on the part of landlords and house agents. He explained that house agents pressure landlords to increase rent, leading to higher agency fees and further exploitation of tenants.
Another resident, Odudu David, lamented that the cost of living in Calabar is highly alarming and disastrous, adding that in the past, accommodation was affordable and presentable. Ukorebi Essien, a resident of Mount Zion, Calabar, urged the state government to intervene and set up a regulatory body to formulate laws to guide rent increment in the state.
Ubok-Abasi Archibong, who lives in Edgerly, expressed dissatisfaction, noting that many middle-income earners now spend over 70 per cent of their salary on rent, far above the 25–30 per cent recommended globally. She called on Governor Bassey Otu to step up his people’s first mantra by regulating the activities of landlords and house agents in the area.
A resident of Ambo Street in Calabar South, who identified himself as Lucky Udoekong, stated that the rate at which owners of properties, particularly landlords, are increasing their rent is not commensurate with the local economic realities of Calabar metropolis, seeking intervention from both state and Federal government.
Government Response and Calls for Action
Recently, the Cross River State House of Assembly has commenced deliberations on the alarming surge in house rents across Calabar and its environs, describing the situation as “unreasonable, unprovoked, and economically destabilising.” Lawmakers condemned the arbitrary and exploitative rent increases being imposed on residents by landlords and housing agents.
Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, member representing Abi State Constituency, highlighted the issue during a plenary session, noting that buildings erected over two to three decades ago, many with leaking roofs, faulty plumbing, and poor drainage, are now rented out at outrageous rates. He urged the House to legislate a regulatory framework for property rental and leasing, balance the rights of landlords with tenants’ dignity, and compel the Ministry of Housing to monitor and control rent-related practices.
Other lawmakers, including Hon. Standley Nsemo, Hon. Omang Omang, and Hon. Francis Ogban, echoed similar sentiments, calling for the regulation or outright ban of house agents and emphasizing the need to prioritize the welfare of Cross River citizens.
Conclusion
The housing crisis in Calabar is a growing concern that demands immediate attention. Residents are calling for a structured housing policy and better regulation by the state government. The government should act swiftly to address this issue and ensure that Calabar remains a place where people can live with dignity.
