By Ibrahim Danladi
The Kano State government has announced its intention to demolish several properties, including high-value plazas and filling stations located along the popular BUK road.
These properties are situated near the ancient Kano city wall, known as Badala, and the current governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has accused his predecessor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, of unauthorized allocation of these lands for development.
While some of the marked structures are still under construction, the majority have already been completed.
Notably, one of the completed plazas is owned by the state government under the Kano State Investment and Properties Limited (KISP), while others are owned by individuals and businesses within the state.
The structures located within the Badala area include filling stations, car dealerships, and one of the largest fuel stations in the state, SALBAS OIL.
Since the marking of the structures, owners and occupants have begun removing their belongings, including roofing sheets and doors.
An affected property owner, Alhaji Jamilu Lawan, expressed frustration, stating, “This place was sold to us by one of the top people in this government. He was with the past government before they parted ways, and here he is, chasing us out of our businesses. We don’t know what kind of government this is.”
Opinions among residents of the state regarding the demolition exercise are divided. Some believe it is a regressive step for the state, while others support the decision.
One supporter of the past government, Auwal Tahir, remarked, “This is taking us back. The past government implemented policies to propel the state forward, especially in revenue generation. Look at Lagos; they rely on these kinds of initiatives for economic independence. Among the structures, the largest one belongs to the state and was built using public funds, but now they are demolishing it.”
Another resident, Abubakar Mai Wada, acknowledged the historical significance of the city wall but claimed that it had been distributed without charge to individuals close to the previous administration. In his view, the demolitions aim to restore the established structure of the state.
The Managing Director of the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), Arc. Ibrahim Yakubu Adamu, has pledged to reclaim all public lands that were “illegally” sold during the previous administration. He stated that public lands, including graveyards, mosques, schools, and the wall fence, will be demolished to ensure proper utilization.