From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Kano State Governor-elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has issued an advisory, discouraging ongoing construction on public places and lands in the state.
A statement issued Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor-elect, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa warned that anyone who elects to contravene the advisory was doing so at his own peril.
In his first policy charge, the incoming governor warned that all ongoing construction works within and around schools, religious and cultural sites, hospitals, grave yards and along the city walls should be discontinued with immediate effect.
“You are also advised to discontinue the demolition of, and the construction on, all existing public buildings belonging to the government and people of Kano State” he declared.
“This advisory is issued in the public interest, effective from today Thursday 30th March, 2023 till further notice” he stated.
Daily Sun observed that under the Ganduje administration, leave is granted to individuals and organizations to construct corner shops on the fences of select public schools and institutions in the state.
In September 2022, Kano State Urban Planning Development Authority(KAUPPDA) admitted that it granted approval for the construction of fence in selected schools with a view to improving the security situation around the schools.
The Managing Director of the Authority, Suleiman Ahmad Abdulwahab told the members of the House of Assembly on tour of these constructions that the lands were not sold out to any individual while the shops were being constructed with the permission of the school authority, the state government and the Assembly.
He explained that the Parent Teachers Association of the schools, their Old Boys Associations and other stakeholders had requested for the construction to enable the schools generate income to enhance their internal security.