Kaduna investigates kerosene station built within school premises

The state Commissioner for Education, Ibrahim Ali, who visited the station in company of officials of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Authority (KASUPDA), chairman, Kaduna-North Local Government and the district head of Doka, said the state government will not condone such encroachment.
“It is very dangerous and can lead to fire outbreak ,” he said.
Daily Trust gathered that documents presented to the commissioner by managers of the station consist of an approval letter to erect the station, which was signed by the Kaduna-North Local Government chairman, Samaila Suleiman. They also provided a certificate issued by the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA) and an approval letter from Kaduna State Fire Service as well as a receipt of N25,000 issued by Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Authority (KASUPDA).
Though, the approval from Kaduna North Local Government carried the name of the chairman as a signatory to the approval, Samaila Suleiman denied ever signing such a document, arguing that the signature on the document was not his.
“This is not my signature. It was said to have been signed on December 26, 2013 and it was accepted on December 23 before it was signed; how possible is that? It is not within the jurisdiction of Kaduna North Local Government Area to issue certificate or any letter permitting the erection of a selling point within a school premises. We have not given any letter to that effect,” he said.
On the sum of N25,000 paid to KASUPDA, one of the officers of the agency, Mercy Ayuba, said the agency in spite of the payment did not give approval for construction of any structure at the place.
The commissioner said investigation will continue and that all relevant stakeholders will be invited to state the role they played in the matter.
He then directed SUBEB and KASUPDA to write letters to the owner of the kerosene station, asking him to seal up the place permanently.