Buea students angry over sky-high rents ahead of school resumption

University students residing in Buea, the chief town of Fako Division in the South West Region of Cameroon, are decrying the exorbitant cost of rooms in the town.

Buea, a town renowned for its education-centered activities, has over 15,000 students and is home to about 20 universities, including the State University, known as the University of Buea.

Students aspiring to settle in this area and pursue their academics have expressed dissatisfaction with the landlords imposing huge rents on them ahead of this academic year.

Talking to Mimi Mefo Info (MMI), a level 300 student at the University of Buea, said, “It seems I won’t be able to continue school because of house rent. Landlords are continuously increasing rents, making everything difficult for us and our parents. Landlords still add the cost of really old houses.”

While wondering how he will cope this school year, he added, “I cannot imagine a student area like this, where houses are this expensive. Our school fees are literally more than that. We cannot pay this much for a house and then come to starve in Buea.”

Currently, one must possess at least 350 to 500 thousand FCFA or above to acquire a room, kitchen, and toilet in Buea. Many students have been plunged into chaotic situations.

“Does Cameroon have no law governing house rent?” Another student in the same situation questioned, adding, “What could cause the room’s cost to increase suddenly from 300,000 FCFA to 450,000 FCFA? Buea is experiencing that.”

He decried that house owners now compel students to be involved in scamming. “Someone somewhere should intervene in Buea because I can’t believe how rapidly the house rent is increasing now. There is an increase in house rents in Buea each year,” added our source.

Our reporter made futile attempts to get landlords to speak and tell us the reasons for the drastic increase. They categorically refused to talk to the media.

However, students continue to call on administrative authorities to urgently rescue them from the deteriorating situation.

By Amina Hilda