Chief Sunny Onuesoke, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former gubernatorial aspirant, has thrown his full support behind Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in his appeal to estate firms to reduce skyrocketing rent costs across the state.

Onuesoke also took the opportunity to call on the Delta State Government to address the excessive charges imposed by house rent agents, which he says are worsening the financial burden on residents searching for housing.

Governor Oborevwori’s Plea for Affordable Housing

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Johnson Erijo, made the appeal during the 13th anniversary and annual convention of Property World Africa Network Marketing Company in Asaba, the state capital.

The governor urged real estate firms to explore innovative ways to make housing more affordable, emphasizing that the current rent levels are unsustainable, particularly for public sector workers.

Onuesoke: “Agent Fees Are Making Housing Unaffordable”

Reacting to the governor’s appeal while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, Onuesoke highlighted the exploitative activities of house rent agents, arguing that their exorbitant charges have significantly contributed to rising rent costs in Delta State.

He pointed out that in many cases, agency fees surpass even the rent collected by landlords, making accommodation increasingly unaffordable.

“The agency fee is almost surpassing the rent itself. Ideally, this fee should not exceed 10%, or at most 5%, yet in places like Warri, we see agency fees reaching 40% to 50% of the rent. Agents justify this by claiming it is a one-time payment, but this is unacceptable.”

He further explained how these high fees force landlords to increase their rent prices, adding another layer of hardship for tenants.

“The actions of these agents are making life difficult for the people of Delta State. For example, a two-bedroom flat in Warri now costs between ₦800,000 and ₦1.2 million annually—before adding the agency fee! How does one survive in such a situation?

“You cannot rent a house without going through an agent. If you try to build a house, the ‘Dev’ boys will disturb you. If you want to rent it out, the agents come in with their own problems. All of this contributes to the massive hardship in Delta State.”

Call for Legislation and Government Intervention

Onuesoke called for the enactment of a state law to regulate the activities of rent agents, ensuring that their fees are capped at reasonable levels.

He also urged the state government to invest in large-scale low-cost housing projects to directly address the housing crisis and bring down rental costs.

“I am currently on a sensitization tour across the state, advocating for a reduction in rent costs. However, beyond just appealing to landlords and agents, the government must take decisive action. Investing in massive affordable housing projects will provide relief to residents and reduce dependency on private rentals.”

A Call to Action

As housing costs continue to rise, Onuesoke’s appeal adds to growing concerns about the affordability crisis in Delta State. With rents surging and agent fees skyrocketing, urgent policy measures and government intervention are needed to ease the burden on struggling residents.