By: Mukhtar Yahaya Shehu
The Kano State government has intensified its efforts to enforce urban planning regulations, as the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning today led another demolition exercise targeting illegal structures in the metropolis.
The operation, carried out at Sharada Ja’en opposite federal Housing estate in Gwale Local Government Area, was personally supervised by the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar.
The exercise followed the reports from the association of residence of the area,that some unscrupulous individuals had connived to erect commercial structures on land owned by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
Immediately after the exercise, the commissioner briefed journalists, emphasizing that all future developments on the site must strictly adhere to standards set by the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA).
“The land is designated for recreational and leisure purposes, not commercial activities,” Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar said.
“The state government has now taken over oversight of the land to ensure proper usage, and any structure to be erected must meet the approved KNUPDA guidelines.” he added
Officials explained that the demolition targeted unauthorized structures encroaching on government land and public spaces, which posed challenges to orderly urban development and proper infrastructure planning.
The commissioner further warned that the government will continue to monitor urban areas and take strict action against anyone violating land use regulations.
According to commissioner Alhaji Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar the site was disgnated for recreational and leisure porpoises which neglected by the residents of the area is now revoked by the Kano state government for the good use of the people.
This exercise forms part of the state government’s broader urban renewal and land management programme, aimed at sanitizing the metropolis, protecting public lands, and ensuring compliance with zoning and planning regulations.
Stakeholders praised the action, noting that it demonstrates the commitment of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to enforcing planning laws and promoting orderly development in Kano State.
The ministry has indicated that similar operations will continue across other parts of the metropolis to prevent illegal encroachments and preserve public and government-owned lands.
The commissioner was accompanied by the Managing Director KNUPDA Arc. Hauwa Tudun Wada, the permanent secretary of the state ministry for land and physical planning as well as the directors from the ministry.
