The Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), 4th Republic, Enugu State Chapter, under the leadership of Ambassador Chidubem Ugwueze JP, has expressed deep satisfaction with the recent legislative move by the Enugu State House of Assembly to introduce a bill aimed at regulating agency and legal fees in the state.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Okey Mbah, has been described as a commendable step towards addressing a pressing concern that has long been a burden on the youth and residents of Enugu State. Ambassador Chidubem JP highlighted that, the excessive charges imposed by agents and legal practitioners have significantly worsened the cost of living, making it increasingly difficult for young people to secure shelter one of life's fundamental necessities.
He further cited the plight of students living off-campus, likening the cost of securing accommodation to the volatility of cryptocurrency investments such as Bitcoin. He lamented that these high charges are exacerbating the struggles of youths who are striving to build their futures, while also enabling an environment where illicit activities such as internet fraud thrive. According to him, fraudsters are less concerned about agency and legal fees, which in turn makes landlords, agents, and lawyers indifferent to the financial strain on genuine, hard-working youths.
The YAN Enugu State Chapter commended the Enugu State House of Assembly for successfully passing the bill through its first reading and urged both the State Assembly and the State Government to ensure its full implementation. The youth body believes that enforcing this bill will not only curb illegal charges but also stimulate economic growth in alignment with the vision of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Executive Governor of Enugu State.
The Youth Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for policies that promote fairness and economic empowerment for the youth of Enugu State.