Kano Drainage Crackdown as government halts construction and seals buildings over illegal structures blocking waterways and causing flood risk

Kano State Government has halted ongoing construction activities on waterways at Kwari Market as part of a sweeping enforcement operation aimed at removing illegal structures obstructing drainage channels and reducing the risk of flooding across the state.

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Kano Drainage Crackdown was carried out on Wednesday by an 11-man task force committee established by the state government and led by the Director-General of the Kano Geographic Information System, Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani.

Speaking during the enforcement exercise, Dr. Sani said the government would no longer tolerate structures built on waterways or drainage paths, warning that such developments pose serious threats to lives and property.

He explained that several locations, including Kwari Market, Tal’udu, Eastern Bypass, Mariri and Danladi Nasidi, had been identified as areas with widespread illegal developments affecting drainage systems.

At Kwari Market, he noted that encroachment had significantly reduced a major drainage channel, originally about 50 metres wide, to less than 10 metres due to unchecked construction activities.

Kano flood control crackdown, according to officials, is part of renewed efforts to prevent a repeat of past flooding incidents that previously led to loss of lives and extensive property damage in the state.

Dr. Sani warned that the task force would continue demolitions and enforcement actions wherever violations are identified, stressing that compliance with planning regulations is mandatory for all developments.

He added that individuals or groups ignoring the directive would face removal of their structures without further notice.

The committee also reported that a mosque in Tal’udu was sealed for violating planning regulations, alongside several other buildings affected in the operation.

Dr. Sani clarified that the land in question had been originally designated for public use, but had been illegally converted for private development without approval from the relevant authorities.

He emphasised that proper planning approval must be obtained before any construction could proceed, regardless of the nature of the structure.

According to him, the enforcement action is not targeted at any religious or social group, but is aimed at restoring order and protecting public infrastructure.

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Over 40 buildings were sealed across different parts of the state during the latest phase of the Kano Drainage Crackdown, with officials indicating that further operations will continue until full compliance is achieved.