Abuja Comes Alive Again With New Set Of Legislators.

Since the inauguration of new lawmakers last week, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been in a festive mood, especially relatives, friends and hangers-on of new lawmakers. However, hoteliers have been smiling to the bank since the new lawmakers arrived the city weeks ago. As expected, the hotels where the lawmakers lodged have become a beehive of activities as hordes of people make efforts to get close to them. However, residents are beginning to get apprehensive over the implication of the new development in the town. Already, there is the fear that prices of goods and services may shoot up the moment the lawmakers finally settle down to business and begin to receive their huge pay and allowances. For traders, hoteliers and other service providers, there is a promising future for good business. At the hotels, bankers, land developers, and others have been on the trail of the ‘new brides.’ A banker of one of the old generation banks, who was sighted at one of the hotels trying to see some of the new senators,said “We have to move in quickly to have them bank with us. We know they will need loan facilities.
” A developer, who did not mention his name, said he came to introduce available houses, ready for occupation, to the lawmakers. “Since they would require accommodation, we want to let them know where they can go to get one.” However, for some of the National Assembly officials, it is an opportunity to get close and grab whatever they can before settling down, hence, the rush to be of assistance to many coming to Abuja for the first time. Meanwhile, there is apprehension within the city that soon residents would begin to feel the effect of the new lawmakers, when prices of foodstuff and service go up. By the end of the week or next week, information about how much each of the lawmakers would be paid as allowances would become known, but for now, residents are wary of the effect of their tenants.