DTSG Mulls Taskforce To Check Activities Of Property Agents

THE Delta State govern­ment has disclosed plans to set up a taskforce to check the activities of housing agents in the state on the rising cost of accommodation.

Our correspondent reports that the state Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Godknows Angele made this known when members of Asaba Correspon­dents’ Chapel of the NUJ, Delta Chapter paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

“We plan to set up a task force to check the activities of hous­ing agents in the state.

“Over the years, the exploit­ative activities of these agents have become a source of con­cern to residents in the state.

“So, as a ministry, we have come up with plans to regulate their practice and curtail their nefarious activities that tends to exploit residents.

“I have met with them, and we have insisted that they must be registered and operate within the ambit of the law”, Angele said.

The commissioner further disclosed that the ministry has undertaken massive renova­tion of govt structures across the state.

He stated that the ministry under his watch had a major assignment to renovate and ensure proper maintenance of government structures across the state.

According to him, the minis­try also undertake intervention on property and land matters on behalf of the state govern­ment.

On achievements of his min­istry, Angele said that over 30 flats of one-bed room apart­ment at 181 Battalion Nigeria Army in Agbor would be inai­gurated soon.

He also said that 40 one-bed room self-contain at the Ad­miralty University, Ibusa, near Asaba has been completed by the ministry and awaiting com­missioning.

Earlier in his remark, the Chairman of the Asaba Corre­spondents’ Chapel, Mr. Ifeanyi Olannye had lauded the com­missioner for his leadership and exemplary qualities.

He said the visit of the chapel was geared towards strength­ening the existing partnership with the ministry and the state government in order to deepen the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s developmental trajectory.

The chairman stated that as watchdog of the society, jour­nalists have a responsibility to hold government and public officers accountable to the general public.

“Your ministry is critical to the development of the state and in line with the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, you have played key roles in the visible achievements of the Governor since assumption of office. “As journalists, we urge you not to rest on your oars, but posit to address the teeth­ing challenge of shortage of accommodation, particularly to help the civil servants and other workers and residents in the state.

“As we seek to deepen our partnership with the ministry, we hope to see more develop­ment in the housing sector across the state to address and check the soaring rent in the state”, Olannye said.