 |
| Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf |
The Kano State government has responded to the concerns raised by property owners along BUK Road regarding the marking of their buildings by the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning.
Property owners expressed their fears, describing the marking as a potential move by the Kano State Government to demolish or seize their properties.
According to Daily Trust, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning marked the properties on July 10, 2024.
During previous demolition exercises in the state, these properties were initially slated for demolition but were spared due to public outcry and legal actions against the government.
The recent development caught the property owners off guard, prompting them to appeal to the government for consideration. Ibrahim Mu’azzam, one of the property owners, stated, “We woke up to find our buildings marked with red paint, similar to last year when KNUPDA did the same. Despite our efforts, we had to resort to a lawsuit, and the case is still ongoing.”
Mu’azzam explained that they acquired the properties during the last administration, but the original owners had them for nearly a decade. The current owners are either second or third-party owners.
“We have invested significant resources to develop the area, which was initially a pond. It required substantial work and investment to make it habitable,” he added.
Mu’azzam emphasized the need for transparency and justice from the government, stating, “We are Kano residents who elected this government. Is this the treatment we deserve in return?”
He also highlighted the positive impact their presence had on the area, reducing crime rates and improving safety.
The property owners called on the government to avoid unnecessary litigation expenses and to consider their plight.
In response to the outcry, the Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Umar, stated that the government is investigating the circumstances under which the properties were obtained, and the findings will be made public soon.
“The area is a waterway with ponds and an ancient wall that serve a purpose. The markings indicate a problem that needs addressing. Our duty is to ensure proper township planning, especially in the metropolis,” Umar explained.
He added that the government received complaints from residents about the properties and found issues during their investigation. “Some properties were wrongly allocated, contributing to flooding problems. We have a responsibility to protect the environment and are still investigating the matter,” he said.
Umar assured that the government is for the people and will not take any unjust actions against them.
