* To prosecute developers without approval
From our correspondent, in Kano
The Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, KNUPDA, said Wednesday it has uncovered 68 illegal private layouts being developed without approval in the state.
The Managing Director of the KNUPDA, Ibrahim Yakubu Adamu disclosed this at a press conference in Kano on Wednesday.
According to him, KNUPDA had invited the owners of the layouts, adding that 40 out of the 68 had responded while awaiting the remaining 28 to appear before the agency.
The Managing Director stated that the agency is investigating the private layout developers to see if they violated the existing law in designing and developing the lands.
According to him, the state government had approved a designated court for prosecution of private layout developers that violate law of the state.
“Anybody found with unapproved design would face prosecution.The culprit would be sentenced to six months without option of fine,” the MD said.
Adamu added that the agency had arrested two private layout developers, who according to him, had been granted bail and would be tried.
He also stated that KNUPDA had already set up a taskforce committee to check the excesses of the illegal activities of private layout developers in the state.
Adamu lamented that the illegal private layout developers had distorted the existing master plan of Kano state.
“The existing master plan of this state has been distorted by the activities of these private developers who violate law in designing and development of the layout.
“This had caused and disrupt emergency situations and the image of the state. All those carve outs, schools, and other important places that beautified our city had been illegally taken over by the activities of these private layout developers.
“That is why we decided to form this task force committee to fight this illegal activities in a bid to return the former glory of our dear state,” he said.
Adamu explained that the state government, under the leadership of governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, is currently developing two layouts at Zawaciki and Rijiyar Gwangwan.
In addition, according to him, the government is developing another layout of 1,000 houses, aimed at complementing the renewed hope of the Ministry of Housing.
