Residents of the staff quarters at Adamawa State Polytechnic, Yola, have protested the alleged unjustifiable increase in rent by the polytechnic management.
The 46 tenants across the two main campuses in Yola and Numan claim that despite the recent hike in rent, the staff quarters have been left in a state of disrepair for the past 22 years.
The staff, who spoke mostly on condition of anonymity due to fear of victimisation, expressed discontent that, since 2003, they had been paying N2,500, N1,500, and N1,000 for 3-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and one-room accommodations, respectively, per month.
However, in 2021, these rates suddenly escalated to N12,000, N7,500, and N5,500, respectively.
They noted that the abrupt rent increase, without prior notification, has placed an unfair burden on them.
The disgruntled tenants also alleged that staff quarters in other tertiary institutions owned by the state government do not charge rent.
“One of our grievances is paying ₦144,000 per annum for a 3-bedroom house in government staff quarters, while staff quarters in other state-owned tertiary institutions are rent-free,” Maizare Duniya, one of the staff members said.
Responding to the accusations, Professor Mohammed Toungo, the rector of the polytechnic, stated that he addressed the occupants of the quarters in a meeting two weeks ago, asserting that the rents were reasonable.
He explained that, unlike other institutions mentioned by the tenants, Adamawa State Polytechnic is located in the state capital, Yola, where rents are generally higher outside the campus.
Prof Toungo stressed that plans to initiate gradual rehabilitation of the staff quarters by establishing an account to allocate proceeds from the rent for that purpose.
He also stated his intention to seek intervention from the state government, as the revenue generated from the rent is insufficient for substantial renovations, according to the tenants’ complaints.
Residents of Adamawa Poly staff quarters protest hike in rent