Babatunji Wusu –
- Government Action: The Kogi State Government will clamp down on property owners who harbor individuals involved in cybercrime, particularly Yahoo Boys.
- New Policy: A bill will be introduced in the Kogi State House of Assembly to regulate property owners and curb excesses in the housing sector.
- Stakeholder Engagement: The government is working with key stakeholders in the building sector to create a blueprint for housing development and regulation.
- Commitment to Regulation: The government is focused on ensuring that policies and laws are strictly adhered to in order to curb the negative impacts of property owners’ actions on crime and society.
The Kogi State Government has pledged to take decisive action against property owners harboring individuals involved in cybercrime, specifically “Yahoo Boys,” within the state. The commitment was made by the Kogi State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Abanika Taiye, during a press briefing in Lokoja on Tuesday. The briefing was held ahead of a two-day symposium involving key stakeholders in housing and urban development in Kogi State.
Taiye expressed concern over the actions of some property owners who are undermining government efforts to combat crime by providing shelter to individuals with questionable sources of income. He emphasized that this practice has been detrimental to the state’s fight against criminal activities.
In response, the state government is drafting a new policy aimed at addressing the exploitation and misconduct of property owners. The policy, which will be introduced through a bill in the Kogi State House of Assembly, aims to regulate the housing sector and reduce the burden on residents who have long sought more effective oversight in the sector.
Taiye further stressed the importance of collaboration with all relevant stakeholders in the building sector to develop a comprehensive blueprint that will guide the provision of housing in the state. He highlighted the significance of enforcing policies and laws to curb the excesses of landlords and ensure a more orderly housing environment.
“The Kogi State Government is committed to creating awareness and engaging all stakeholders in a robust dialogue to formulate a practical housing policy that addresses the needs of our people and curtails the negative impact of unchecked property ownership,” Taiye concluded.
