…backs 2027 governorship zoning
The Nasarawa State Government has disclosed plans to regulate the rising cost of house rent across the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.
Peter Ahemba, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, made the disclosure in Lafia during a bi-monthly press conference where he highlighted the sectoral achievements of the State Government.
Ahemba spoke while responding to concerns over the indiscriminate increase in house rent, which residents, said had made accommodation increasingly difficult for many people in the State.
He said the Government is already working with the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to introduce legislation that would regulate house rent and protect tenants from arbitrary increases by landlords.
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According to him, “the proposed law will ensure fairness in the housing sector and safeguard residents from exploitation.
“The government is aware of the concerns of residents over the rising cost of house rents. We are already working closely with the House of Assembly to come up with a law that will regulate rents across the State.”
He added that the proposed legislation would ensure that landlords charge reasonable rents while protecting tenants from unfair practices.
Ahemba also revealed that Governor Abdullahi Sule had recently flagged off the construction of a housing estate for civil servants in the Akurba community of Lafia as part of efforts to address housing challenges in the State.
He said similar housing projects would be replicated in other Local Government Areas.
On the issue of electricity supply, the governor’s aide explained that the recent inauguration of the Nasarawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NASERC) was part of efforts by the State Government to address the worsening power situation.
According to him, the establishment of the Commission will help strengthen electricity regulation and improve power supply across the state.
Speaking on the 2027 Governorship election, Ahemba said Governor Sule supports the zoning of the Governorship seat to the Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the interest of equity and fairness.
He noted that the zoning arrangement had played a significant role in maintaining political balance in the State.
“The governor himself benefited from zoning when the then governor, Umaru Al-Makura, zoned the seat to Nasarawa North Senatorial District,” Ahemba said.
He explained that Nasarawa West produced the first civilian governor of the State from 1999 to 2007, followed by Nasarawa South which held the position for 12 years from 2007 to 2019, while Nasarawa North has been producing the governor since 2019.
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However, Ahemba clarified that neither the Government nor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would prevent any qualified member of the party from contesting the Governorship election in 2027.
He also commended security agencies for their collaboration with the state government in tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Ahemba assured residents that the Government remains committed to protecting lives and property and urged members of the public to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
