The Kano State government has constituted an 11-member special taskforce team to tackle the increasing menace of illegal buildings and building infractions in the state.
The committee was set up to identify, review and take action against structures built without approval or which are in violation of existing planning standards, especially in Kano metropolitan.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was worried about the upsurge in the number of unauthorised developments in the state.
“The government has put a lot of money into urban renewal projects to improve infrastructure and the environment,” he said.
“The administration has put in a lot of money into road construction, drainage systems and environmental beautification. “We are making all these efforts to make Kano a more organised and liveable city,” he stated.
Umar Farouk Ibrahim has said unauthorised structures are one of the major challenges facing urban planning and could jeopardise development efforts being made.
He urged the members of the newly constituted committee to discharge their tasks with justice, integrity and professionalism.
“You were selected on competence and credibility. “We are asking you to carry out this responsibility sincerely and in the best interest of the state,” he stated.
He said government is committed to the protection of the Kano master plan and sustainable development for future generations.
The committee is chaired by Director-General, Kano Geographic Information System, Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani.
The body also include officials and professionals from the appropriate sectors. The Secretary is Mustapha Ibrahim Fagge and co-secretary is Yusuf Yakubu Ismail.
The committee is expected to identify illegal structures in parts of the metropolis such as Nassarawa, Fagge, Tarauni and Kumbotso local government areas, review building approvals within the last two years and stop ongoing developments that contravene planning regulations.
On behalf of the committee, Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani, expressed appreciation to the state government for the confidence reposed in them and vowed that the taskforce would carry out its duties professionally.
“We assure the government that we will do this duty with seriousness and professionalism,” he said.