Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has reacted to the complaints about the sharp increase in house rents and agents fees in urban parts of the State, saying that it is as a result of increase in demands.
Otti, who said this at the Government House Umuahia, on Friday while responding to question from a journalist during his monthly media chat, said that his administration would encourage real estate investors to build more houses in the State through the building of roads and provision of other enabling infrastructure.
He noted that the availability of many houses would lead to a reduction in prices and equilibrium level would be achieved.
He explained that since the State is not running a socialist system of government, it would not be easy to fix prices for landlords and house agents.
He used the occasion to direct that staff of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic (formerly Abia State Polytechnic Aba) who were disengaged by the former administration should be verified.
Otti, who said that Port Harcourt road in Aba would be completed and commissioned on May 29, 2025, also said that 222 public schools with leaking roofs, overgrown weeds or without desks, are being reconstructed and equipped to ensure that pupils don’t study in endangered environment.
He further explained that his decision to still operate from his private residence is to channel State funds to more important projects for the people.