The Cross River State Government has appealed to landlords across the state to show compassion and restraint over what residents describe as frequent and excessive increases in house rents.
The appeal was made by the Commissioner for Lands, Hon. Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, amid growing concerns over the rising cost of accommodation in Calabar.
Ekpang, in a video shared by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Bassey Otu on Public Advocacy, Friday Awade, urged property owners to reconsider steep rent increases, saying residents are already struggling with the rising cost of food, transportation and other basic needs.
“There is enough suffering in the land already,” the Commissioner said.
According to him, landlords should consider the welfare of their tenants and avoid arbitrary increases that could force families out of homes they have occupied for years.
The Commissioner’s appeal comes as some tenants in Calabar continue to complain about the difficulty of meeting renewed rent demands, with many households having to make difficult choices between accommodation and other basic necessities.
Ekpang urged landlords to see their properties not only as investments but also as homes occupied by families who deserve dignity and stability.
The government’s position has also renewed attention to the wider housing crisis in Cross River, including concerns over the role of agents in driving up rental costs. In 2025, the Cross River State House of Assembly considered moves to address alleged arbitrary rent inflation by housing agents.
While landlords also face increasing costs of construction, maintenance and property management, residents are increasingly calling for a more predictable and affordable rental system across the state.
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