Realtors, popularly called real estate agents, operating in Asaba, have been urged to be considerate in their demand for ten per cent charge on any property rented out through them.
His Royal Majesty, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Azinge, who made the call when the newly elected executive of the Association of Organized Realtors, Asaba, visited him, said the ten percent was not an issue, but the tendency to influence landlords to increase their rent beyond the reach of the common man.
Asagba noted that the perceived greed and high-handedness of the agents had elicited public outcry, forcing many, especially the low income earners, to settle for accommodation in less developed neighboring communities, emphasizing that he owed it a responsibility to protect accommodation seekers, particularly of Asaba extraction.
The monarch commended the realtors for organizing themselves to be able to speak in one voice and charged the new executive to show leadership that would strengthen and unite the body to achieve set goals.
Azinge challenged the realtors to be ambitious and strive to progress beyond their present occupation to become property owners and contribute more significantly to the socioeconomic growth of the community and the state at large.
He congratulated the new executive and assured the group of his support, accepting to be the Father of the association.
The traditional ruler affirmed that Asaba had remained a place to be for many, especially non indigenes, who had tapped from the blessings and hospitality of the community for decades and still counting.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and Patron of the association, Hon Chiedu Oburota, said the visit was to congratulate Asagba Prof Azinge on his ascension to the throne, bring the existence of the body to his knowledge, inform him about the emergence of a new executive of the association and its inauguration scheduled for 30th May and to urge His Royal Majesty to be the Father of the association.
