STUDENTS of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku (DSPG) resident in private hostels located around Ogbe-Ofu axis in the metropolis have lamented the continuous increase in rents charged by landlords.
According to one of the students, they are experiencing yearly increase in house rents without a commensurate renovation or maintenance of the hostels.
Affected students said the increase was usually blamed on the high cost of cement and high cost of living. One of the students, Daniel Okoh, complained that most landlords in the area often increase their rents without considering the plights of the students especially during this period of economic hardship and high cost of transportation.
“Last year my landlord increased the rent from N20,000 to N40,000 monthly. When we confronted the landlord he asked us to find another house if we can’t afford it.
“ We managed to pay the the high rent, but this year he has added N10,000 to the rent. Not that he reinnovated or maintained the apartment in anyway since I started staying here. But he blamed his decision on high cost of cement”,he said.
Another student, Favorite Miracle, who spoke to Ogwashi-Uku Metro explained how she used half of her school fees to pay the rent that was increased from N15,000 to N30,000.
“I used half of my school fees to pay my house rent just because I don’t want to be evicted,. especially since it’s now a bit difficult to find an apartment during this period that school have resumed fully.
“Even my parents at a point were finding it difficult to comprehend why I have to use half of my school fees to augment my rent until they sent my senior sister to come and confirm.
“It is not easy for us students considering the high cost of transportation to and from school and the bad economy causing acute inflation in the country”, she said.
The DSPG Students Union Government (SUG) provost, Kpitaro Chikain, in a chat with our correspondent, explained that the student union has little or no power to stop the hike.
“We are aware of their plight but as student union government we can’t force the landlords to reduce their rent. We can only appeal to them.” He however, urged the students to remain calm, saying that the SUG will do their best to engage the landlords.
