The Association of Masallaci Eid Shop Owners and Traders has warned those pressurizing Kano state government to reallocate the vacant fallow and desolated area infested by crimes and criminality for business purposes that they would meet a stiff resistance from the association.
Alhaji Auwal Sa’id Sa’idu, the chairman of the association and Ibrahim S. who is the secretary of the association disclosed this in a statement sent to GLOBAL TRACKER in Kano on Friday.
According to the statement, even if the state government would reallocate the said land, members of the association must be considered first before anybody.
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The statement reads “The attention of the leadership and members of the Masallacin Eid Shop Owners and Traders whose business premises at Kofar Mata Eid Ground in Kano was demolished by the State Government in June 2023 has been drawn to a news item circulating in social media and some online newspapers concerning the fate of the now vacant, fallow and desolate area infested by crimes and criminality.
“The news is to the effect that the Government had reportedly gone ahead to reallocate shops for sale to the general public in the premises.
“The Association has been inundated with inquiries regarding the sad state of affairs. Hence, the release.
“We thus wish to disabuse the minds of our members and the general public from
the said information having reached out to those in Authority who deny such plan of action.
“The Association wants to further state that it is in good contact and
consultation with the government on the fate of the premises and that if anybody deserves being relocated shops at the premises, it is our members by virtue of our prior possession and existing court judgment upholding the validity of our status.
“Consequently, those vested interests pressurizing the Government to reallocate the land to them for business purposes should be aware that they would be usurping the remnants of the Association’s judicially affirmed interests on the land and would meet a stiff resistance.
“In the meantime amicable and friendly consultation and interface continue as the government makes the final decision.