Kano govt sets up 11-member committee to identify illegal structures

The Kano State Government has inaugurated an 11-member high-powered committee to identify illegal structures and review building approvals in the Kano metropolitan area.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen by Musa Tanko-Muhammad, Press Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG.

Tanko-Muhammad quoted the SSG, Umar Farouk-Ibrahim, as describing the assignment as critical to the physical, economic, and environmental development of the state during the committee’s inauguration.

He said the government was concerned about the indiscriminate erection of structures without proper approvals.

According to him, such actions undermine sustainable urban development and pose social, economic, and environmental risks to residents.

He urged members to discharge their duties with diligence, integrity, and commitment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee will be chaired by the Director-General of the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS), Dr Dalhatu Aliyu-Sani.

Other members include Dayyabu Zubairu-Gani, a retired Permanent Secretary and former Head of Architecture, and Ahmad Sanusi of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil.

Also in committee are the Deputy Director, Legal, Kano Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Umar Musa of Northwest University Kano, Abubakar Usman, a retired Surveyor General, Dr Zainab Ibrahim, and Muzammil Ibrahim-Yakasai of Freedom Radio, among others.

Tanko-Muhammad added that Mustapha Fagge, Director of Administration and General Services at KANGIS, would serve as Secretary, while Yusuf Ismail of the Office of the Head of Civil Service will serve as Co-Secretary.

He said the committee “is mandated to identify illegal structures in Nasarawa, Tarauni, Kumbotso, and Fagge LGAs, review all approvals granted in the last one year; recommend measures to halt illegal developments; and strengthen compliance with physical planning regulations.

“The committee is expected to submit its report within four weeks.”

Responding on behalf of the committee, Dr Aliyu-Sani thanked Gov. Yusuf for the confidence reposed in them and assured that they would work to justify the trust through professionalism and commitment.

NAN