Demolition: We won’t harm you unjustly, Kano Gov’t tells property owners along BUK road

The property owners had cried out over the action which they described as another move by the Kano State Government to demolish or take over their properties.

Daily Trust reports that the properties were marked by the Ministry of land and physical planning on July 10, 2024.

In the heat of previous demolition exercises carried out in the State, the properties were among those slated for demolition but were left out as a result of outcry and law suits instituted against the government.

However, the recent development took the owners by surprise as they appealed to the government to be considerate in its action.

Ibrahim Mu’azzam, who is one of the property owners, said, “We just woke up and saw these red paints just like last year when KNUPDA did. We tried our best but to no avail and later resorted to a lawsuit. We are still in court until now that this is happening.

“Of course we acquired these properties during the last administration but the original owners got it almost 10 years ago. All the people that are now in custody of these properties are either second or third party owners.

“When this place was sold to us it was even dangerous. If your car should stop here you will have to leave it if not thugs will descend on you but our coming has developed this place. Crime rate has reduced and even wiped out from this place.

“Secondly, we have spent a huge amount of money to develop it. It was a pond. Someone before even putting DVC will have to raise at least  20 metres high. It was a lot of work and resources.

“So far nobody was even given anything or told anything about what is happening. The Government needs to be open and do justice to us. We are also Kano people and we elected this government. Is this what we should get in return?

“We are appealing to the Governor to please render justice to us just like we prayed for him to get justice also in courts. We are businessmen trying to contribute to the development of our state and boost its economy.”

They however called on the government to look inward and avoid wasting money unnecessarily on litigation matters.

But reacting to the outcry, the Commissioner of land and physical planning, Abduljabbar Umar said the government is investigating and looking into the circumstances in which the properties were obtained and the result will be made public soon.

“Honestly speaking, the place is a waterway and there are ponds and the ancient wall that were cited over the years of which are serving purpose. Of course, we marked them and that means there is a problem with that. It is our duty to protect and ensure that the township planning goes accordingly especially the metropolis.

“We have received complaints from residents about the existence of those properties that were erected by individuals. We have investigated and saw for ourselves.

“Some of the places where not given out of goodwill, they were wrongly given because it shouldn’t be. We have had for years issues of flooding which is one of the effects. We all have responsibility to protect the environment. We did our own part and we are still investigating and very soon we will see what to do.”

He added that the government is for the people and will not do anything that will harm the people unjustly.