A Kano-based non-political and non-partisan community development group, “Fagge Sodangi”, has appealed to the Kano State Government to intensify efforts toward stopping the construction of illegal structures and the indiscriminate conversion of residential properties into commercial use across Kano metropolis.
The group made the appeal during a visit to the Kano State Special Task Force Committee on Illegal Structures and the Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), where members expressed concern over what they described as increasing violations of town planning regulations in Fagge and other parts of the state.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of Fagge Sodangi, Abdullahi Usman Rori, said the growing trend of converting residential buildings into commercial properties without proper approval poses serious environmental, social and infrastructural challenges to communities.
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According to him, many individuals now acquire houses originally designated for residential purposes and transform them into plazas, garages, shops and other commercial structures contrary to the state’s urban planning laws.
Rori alleged that some developers initially obtain approval for small commercial spaces before extending their activities by purchasing adjoining residential properties and converting them entirely into commercial use.
He specifically raised concerns over a case involving a businessman identified as Hamisu Dankaka, whom the group accused of allegedly acquiring a small commercial plot before expanding into surrounding residential properties and converting the entire area into commercial facilities.
The chairman maintained that such developments violate Kano State town planning regulations and the urban development laws recently passed by the Kano State House of Assembly.
He warned that if urgent measures are not taken, indiscriminate commercialization of residential neighborhoods could worsen congestion, environmental degradation, traffic problems and other urban challenges within Kano metropolis.
Rori therefore called on the Kano State Government to completely prohibit unauthorized conversion of residential properties into commercial use and ensure strict enforcement of physical planning laws across the state.
He also appealed to relevant authorities to support ongoing enforcement operations against illegal structures and planning violations.
“We are appealing to the Kano State Government to save residential communities from indiscriminate conversion into commercial areas. These activities are against the town planning laws of the state and are creating serious challenges for residents,” he said.
The group further commended the ongoing activities of the Kano State Special Task Force Committee on Illegal Structures, describing the enforcement operations as timely and necessary for restoring order in urban development.
Responding, the Chairman of the Kano State Special Task Force Committee on Illegal Structures and Director-General of the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS), Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani, welcomed the delegation and commended the group for demonstrating confidence in the activities of the committee.
Dr. Dalhatu also appreciated the visitors for their trust and support in his current acting leadership role at KNUPDA following his recent appointment to oversee the agency.
The KANGIS Director-General assured the delegation that the committee would thoroughly investigate all allegations relating to the illegal conversion of residential properties into commercial use in Fagge and other parts of Kano State.
According to him, the committee remains committed to enforcing town planning regulations and addressing all forms of illegal structures and unauthorized developments across the state.
He stressed that the government would not tolerate the indiscriminate conversion of residential buildings into plazas, garages, factories, hotels and other commercial facilities without proper approval from relevant authorities.
Dr. Dalhatu further reiterated the committee’s determination to restore order in physical development and ensure compliance with approved land-use regulations under the state’s urban renewal agenda.
The committee chairman noted that many of the structures recently sealed by the task force across Kano metropolis were found to have violated planning approvals through unauthorized change of purpose and illegal expansion.
He assured residents that the government would continue to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to protect residential communities, public infrastructure and environmental safety.
The visit comes amid intensified enforcement activities by the Kano State Special Task Force Committee on Illegal Structures, which has in recent weeks sealed hundreds of plazas, garages, factories, construction sites and commercial buildings over alleged planning violations and illegal land-use conversion.
The growing involvement of community development groups in reporting planning violations reflects increasing public support for the government’s efforts to restore discipline and order in urban development across Kano State.