Aminu Garko.
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a seven-member committee to investigate persistent violations of town planning regulations and the proliferation of unregulated developments across the state.
Inaugurating the committee on Thursday on behalf of Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim, said disregard for laws governing physical planning and development control had become a major concern.
He said widespread non-compliance had undermined efforts to achieve orderly urban development, improve infrastructure and enhance the aesthetic appeal of Kano, particularly within the metropolitan area.
Ibrahim said reports on the increasing neglect of development control measures necessitated the committee’s establishment to examine the operations of the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority and identify factors responsible for the violations.
The committee is chaired by Dr Aliyu Dalhatu Sani, Director General of KANGIS. Barrister Rahma Mallam Alhaji, Provost of the Anti-Corruption Institute, will serve as secretary. Other members were drawn from relevant professional backgrounds to ensure a comprehensive and objective investigation.
Ibrahim recalled that a few weeks ago, the governor approved a separate committee to identify and halt illegal structures in parts of the Kano metropolis, including Nasarawa, Tarauni and Fagge local government areas.
Findings from that exercise showed that unauthorized developments were more extensive than anticipated and posed threats to urban planning standards and government investments in infrastructure, he said.
He said the government had directed the Managing Director of KNUPDA and the Authority’s Director of Architecture to step aside for the duration of the investigation to ensure transparency.
Ibrahim expressed confidence in the committee’s members and said the government expected a comprehensive assessment and practical recommendations to strengthen compliance and improve development control.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Dr Sani said persistent violations had hindered efforts to promote orderly urbanisation and sustainable development.
He assured the government that the committee would carry out its assignment diligently and recommend practical measures to address illegal developments and strengthen compliance.
He called on institutions, stakeholders and the public to cooperate with the committee and thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in it.
The committee is expected to submit its report within three weeks of inauguration