From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) has started demolition of structures erected on or inside drainages.
The state’s Commissioner of Environment, Dr Kabiru Ibrahim Getso disclosed this while briefing journalists during the monitoring of Keep Kano Clean Week exercise at Jakara, Dala Local Government Area yesterday.
According to Getso, he lodged the complaint to the Managing Director of KNUPDA over the attitude of people towards buildIng structures on waterways, which according to him, is the major cause of flooding that destroy lives and property.
The Commissioner disclosed that the MD KNUPDA had accepted his complaint, adding that he would order for demolition of the structures after identifying the areas where they are situated.
“You see how people erect building on waterways or even inside the waterways. I contacted the Managing Director of Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA).
“I complaint to him in view of the fact that it is his agency that is responsible for demolition of structures situated on water ways. We identified the spots where those structures are being erected and he ordered for demolition, may be starting from today or tomorrow,” Getso said.
Dr Getso also disclosed that the state government had approved for procurement of 58 additional mobile public convenience in its continued efforts to check open defecation.
He said the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had directed the MD KNUPDA to approve for sites where the public toilets would be situated, adding that the Ministry of Environment would start constructing the toilets once it get the approval from the KNUPDA as a body responsible for town planning.
He also stated that about 100 community self-help groups benefited from the procured sanitation equipment, launched by the state government.
The equipment, according to the commissioner, include wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, fork shovels, and diggers among others.
He added that in addition to the already constructed public toilet facilities, the state government would be placing the mobile toilets in strategic locations and upgrade the already existing toilet facilities to encourage patronage and partner with donors, individuals, and corporate organizations in the management and maintenance of the facilities.
During the visit in Jaakara qouters in Municipal Local government area the commissioner expressed optimism with exercise.
He urged members of the public to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse at water ways saying success will only be achieve when government, industres, self help – groups and members of the public to put hands together in addressing Environment challenges.
“In Jakara dump site alone more than 15 trucks were evercuated and as you can see our vehicle are still busy evercuating the refuse until it was all cleared”, Dr. Getso said.
