Reps move to impose tax on unoccupied houses in Abuja

Members of the House of Representatives on Thursday bemoaned the high cost of rent in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and called for a policy to impose taxes on unoccupied houses in the city.

As such, the House mandated its housing committee to review all existing housing policies that would be transformed to a comprehensive one in the country to ease hardship.

"At a time when many Nigerians do not have access to anything close to a decent accommodation, the number of completed, but unoccupied structures litter the nation's capital in prime areas of Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse and Garki, thereby forcing many people to live in the outskirts of the city," said Rep Segun Alexander Adekola in a motion.

The House noted that going by the present statistics in the country, the housing deficit stands at about 17 million, with FCT alone accounting for 10 percent of the overall deficit.

"There's outrageous rent regime on residential and commercial building in the FCT, Abuja and its negative effects on the social and economic lives of residents of the city.

"If this abnormal situation is not addressed, the middle and low income earners residing in the Federal Capital Territory will continue to suffer," said the lawmaker.