The management of the University of Benin has swung into action to resolve the ongoing complaints that are being made by the students of the school concerning the arbitrary hike in house rents at Ekosodin and neighbouring communities.
Concerned students of the great institution recently initiated a movement with the motion of curbing extortion from Students through excessive increament in hostel fees and rent off campus. A WhatsApp group was created to bring together students that are most affected by this “wickedness” as they described it.
The students complained that Landlords, Caretakers and Agents in Ekosodin have recently been increasing house rents without any renovations or improvement in the welfare of the houses.
“#END HOSTEL HIKE
“Landlords, Caretakers and Agents are cutting students necks in Ekosodin
“Ekosodin without students is another village
“Operation Save Uniben students”, read a flyer which is being used to promote this movement.
Some students gave examples of hostels in which the house rents were despotically increased recently.
A WhatsApp user, Obinna, complained of a ‘Silversand hostel’ which has seen an increament in rent of over 50% in the last 2 years.
“SILVERSAND HOSTEL off Newton street, Ekosodin.
“Landlord increases rent of one room self con every year
“2020 – 130k
2021 – 175k
2022 – 200k
“Increment without any form of maintenance or renovation.
“New increments to take effect January 2022.
“#EndHostelHike”, he stated.
Another WhatsApp user, Preshy, reported a ‘House of Rose hostel’ which recently saw an alarming increament in rent from #45,000 to #95,000 without any renovations.
Richie, who also complained on the group chat reported a ‘Coffin Hostel’ which recently experienced a House rent increase from #45,000 to #90,000.
“One coffin hostel too for Newton,, from 45k to 90k,, u still go dey share toilet and kitchen with the whole community”, he wrote.
The students agreed to meet in the school environment today, Monday, January 10th, 2022, to further discuss and decide the next line of action.
The management of the school has been alerted and the matter has been delegated to a team to meet this morning with the heads of the community and other stakeholders.
This was made known in a notice to campus journalists by the school’s P.R.O, Benedicta Ehanire, Ph.D, this morning.
“It has come to the knowledge of the Management of the University of Benin that the cost of house rent in Ekosodin and other communities bordering the University is being increased astronomically.”, She said.
“The Management is particularly worried about the development and has delegated a team to meet this morning with the Heads of the Communities and other stakeholders on the matter.”, she added.
“Management urges affected students to remain calm as positive outcomes are expected.”, she concluded.