Damaturu residents laud reconstitution of rent tribunal
NAN-H-119
Tribunal
Damaturu, April 5, 2017 (NAN) Some tenants and landlords in Damaturu, Yobe, on Wednesday commended the state government for reconstituting the state rent tribunal to settle housing disputes in the state.
Some tenants, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu, claimed that they have been subjected to various forms of exploitation by their landlords.
A resident, Malam Usman Ibrahim, who is a civil servant, said “our landlord have been arbitrarily increasing rent fees without recourse to agreements.’’
Hafsatu Mari and Dije Ahmadu, both tenants, said they would take their cases to the tribunal as soon as it commences sitting.
Audu Samaila, also a tenant, alleged that his landlord chased him out of the house and refused him access to his property over unpaid rent.
“The tribunal will solve this problem for us because the value of my property in the house exceeds the house rent owed,” he said.
Alhaji Mustapha Shettima, a landlord, however, complained that some tenants do not pay their rents as and when due, adding that the reconstituted tribunal will now solve these problems.
NAN reports that Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam, recently approved the reconstitution of a 16-member tribunal to handle rent disputes in the state.
A statement issued by Alhassan Sule, Press Secretary to the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, said nine members were re-appointed while seven others were newly appointed as members. (NAN)
MM/DO/AFA
Edited by David Onilede/Felix Ajide