By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Kogi State House of Assembly has passed two laws aimed at curbing arbitrary rent increases and strengthening the state’s response to substance abuse and rehabilitation of drug-dependent persons.
The laws are the Kogi State Tenancy Law 2026 and the Kogi State Bureau of Substance Abuse Control and Rehabilitation of Drug Dependence Law 2026, both passed after clause-by-clause consideration and approval at the Committee of the Whole.
The Tenancy Law repeals the 2007 Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law and introduces a new framework for regulating landlord-tenant relationships. Speaker Aliyu Umar Yusuf said the law would help address arbitrary rent increases and reduce disputes, particularly amid the rising cost of accommodation in Lokoja.
On the substance abuse law, Yusuf said the legislation would provide a more comprehensive approach to tackling drug abuse through control, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration. He said drug-dependent persons should not be treated solely as offenders but also given opportunities to recover and return as productive members of society.
The Speaker urged the Kogi State Government to establish the necessary structures for implementing both laws, assuring that the Assembly would continue to support measures aimed at improving the welfare, security and quality of life of residents.