Kano Govt Begins Demolition Of Illegal Structures
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, early on Saturday, began the demolition of structures allegedly built on public lands.
The Chief Press Secretary, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, confirmed the development in a statement to reporters saying Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf directed the immediate demolition of unlawful structures built on public property, in line with his policy objectives.
Part of the statement reads, “The structures, erected in schools, mosques, play grounds, graveyards, markets and hospitals are to be demolished to ensure strict adherence on the urban planning, beautification and safety of people.
“These places are meant for public utilisation. It is therefore disheartening to witness the incessant destruction and conversion of such public places that render social services to the people, being encroached upon by unpatriotic citizens. We shall bring an end to land grabbing and indiscriminate erection of illegal structures in the state.”
“In the early hours of Saturday, the directive has been implemented at the Race Course playground as all illegal structures were demolished to reclaim the encroached land.
“We call on the residents of Kano to excise patience as the present administration is committed to ensuring a prosperous Kano,” the statement reads further.
Late on Friday, Governor Yusuf ordered all land developers within the vicinity of the Kano Hajj Camp to halt all construction works immediately or face the consequences.
The governor gave the directive during an unscheduled visit to assess the condition of the camp, where he immediately took appropriate measures to restore a comfortable atmosphere. Kano’s intending pilgrims to the holy land are set to depart in three days.
“The governor was displeased with the poor state of the facility, which was intended to serve as a home-away-from-home for pilgrims from Kano State and beyond,” according to a statement by Dawakin-Tofa.
Quoting Yusuf, he maintained, “I became restless because of the premonition I had that the camp is in bad condition and the visit I paid today attested to that and no right-thinking person would believe that this is a hajj camp built to accommodate intending pilgrims.
“I am not happy with what is on ground there. The immediate past administration in the state had demolished 130 houses, and 65 toilets and sold the plots to their cronies and if not because of exigencies of time as uplifting of this year’s pilgrims is about to commence, we would have brought the place back to its normal position.
“It is in the view of the above that as the executive Governor of Kano State, I directed that all land developers at the hajj camp should stop work immediately, otherwise recalcitrant would bear the consequences,” Dawakin-Tofa quoted the Governor further.
