Kano launches crackdown on illegal buildings

The Kano State Government has inaugurated an 11-member committee with a mandate to identify illegal structures and review building approvals across the Kano metropolitan area, in a move aimed at curbing the unchecked proliferation of unauthorised developments in the state.

The inauguration was announced in a statement issued by Musa Tanko-Muhammad, Press Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

Addressing members at the inauguration, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk-Ibrahim, described the committee’s assignment as critical to the state’s physical, economic, and environmental development, expressing concern over the growing rate of unregulated construction across the metropolis.

“The indiscriminate erection of buildings without proper approvals poses serious risks to sustainable urban development,” Farouk-Ibrahim said, urging committee members to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, integrity, and professionalism.

The committee is chaired by the Director-General of the Kano Geographic Information System, Dalhatu Aliyu-Sani, and draws its membership from academia, government agencies, and the civil society space. Members include Dayyabu Zubairu-Gani, Ahmad Sanusi of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Umar Musa of Northwest University Kano, Abubakar Usman, Dr Zainab Ibrahim, and Muzammil Ibrahim-Yakasai of Freedom Radio, among others. Mustapha Fagge of KANGIS will serve as Secretary, while Yusuf Ismail from the Office of the Head of Civil Service will act as Co-Secretary.

The committee has been mandated to identify illegal structures across Nasarawa, Tarauni, Kumbotso, and Fagge Local Government Areas, review building approvals granted within the past year, and recommend measures to prevent further unauthorised developments. It is also expected to propose strategies to strengthen compliance with physical planning regulations and submit its final report within four weeks.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Aliyu-Sani thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in the members and pledged that the assignment would be carried out with commitment and professionalism.