KANGIS seals over 200 illegal structures, stops building near high-tension line

By Hadiza Yusuf

KANO — The Kano State Geographic Information Service (KANGIS) has sealed more than 200 illegal structures across the state as part of efforts to enforce planning regulations and promote orderly urban development.

The Director-General of KANGIS, Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani, disclosed this on Monday while leading members of the Committee on the Identification of Illegal Structures during an enforcement operation at Kundila along Zaria Road, where officials halted the construction of a building located close to a high-tension electricity line.

Dr. Sani, who also chairs the committee, said the affected structures are located along major roads, including Ahmadu Bello Way, Mundubawa Roundabout, Hadejia Road, Ring Road, Western Bypass, Zaria Road, Maiduguri Road and Gwarzo Road.

He said the enforcement exercise would be extended beyond the major roads to other parts of the state.

“We have covered many areas and plan to cover all the major roads in Kano State. After that, we will move into other parts of the state,” he said.

Explaining the action at Kundila, Sani said the construction was stopped because of its proximity to a high-tension electricity line, posing a serious risk to lives and property.

“This building is too close to the high-tension line. It can lead to the loss of lives and property. It is the responsibility of the government to prevent such situations. That is why we stopped the construction,” he said.

He clarified that the exercise is not intended to punish property owners but to ensure compliance with land administration and development regulations.

According to him, the campaign, tagged “Operation Show Your Document,” requires developers to present valid land titles and building approvals.

“The committee only needs you to bring your documents. There is no payment involved and there is no penalty. The only action we take is to seal the property until the owner follows the due process,” he said.

Sani disclosed that more than 20 property owners had so far presented their documents since the exercise began, describing the level of compliance as encouraging given that the operation is still less than a month old.

“We cannot say compliance is very good because we have just started. It is less than one month since the exercise began, but with media campaigns and public awareness, people are beginning to understand what we are doing,” he said.

He said one of the key objectives of the exercise is to preserve Kano’s master plan and ensure orderly urban development.

The KANGIS boss also revealed that the Kano State Government is reviewing the state’s master plan for the first time in more than 30 years.

“As you know, the Kano State Government is reviewing the master plan. It is the first review of its kind because the master plan has not been reviewed for more than 30 years. This government knows what it is doing and is committed to planned development,” he said.

Sani added that the exercise would also strengthen security by creating a comprehensive database of property owners across the state.

“When people obtain the right approvals and titles, the government will know who owns every property. We will have their names and records. That will improve security in the state,” he said.

He explained that the committee is mandated to identify illegal structures, halt ongoing violations and make recommendations to the government for appropriate action in line with the law.

He urged residents intending to develop residential or commercial properties to obtain building permits from the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) and secure land titles from KANGIS before commencing construction.