The Kano State government has shed light on its decision to demolish a roundabout constructed by the previous governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the demolition of the government house roundabout took place on Tuesday night.
In a recent statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the government revealed that prior to the recent demolition, professional engineers were consulted.
These experts confirmed that the roundabout’s construction was substandard and had the potential to collapse between 2023 and 2024. The statement further highlighted that the size of the structure created traffic challenges, obstructing drivers’ view of all routes linked through the roundabout.
The government assured the public that a new roundabout would be constructed in the interest of public safety and urban development.
The full statement reads:
Press Release
Wed. 14th June, 2023
Government House Roundabout Demolished for Security and Safety Reasons….
….. To reconstruct a new one that is fit for purpose in the interest of public good
Kano State government has demolished the government house roundabout last night in the best interest of public good.
Prior to the exercise, government had consulted professional Engineers in the relevant fields who ascertained to the fact that the roundabout construction was substandard and has the tendency to collapse between 2023 and 2024.
This is because it is done with used foam work and too much sandy materials instead of normal cement concrete.
Also, the structure is too tall to be placed in front of the government house as it defaces its main gate which blocks the view for security surveillance.
Additionally, it poses traffic challenges around the area because of its size, blocking the view of drivers accessing all routes linked through the roundabout.
The government wishes to make it clear that it became very necessary to take down the structure for the purposes of immediate reconstruction and downsizing to ensure visibility of the government house entrance and safety of motorists.
Signed
Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa
Chief Press Secretary to Kano State Governor
Recall that during his inaugural speech on May 29, Governor Yusuf made it clear that any structures believed to have been constructed “illegally” by the previous administration would be demolished.
This directive led to the demolition of various structures built by the previous government, capturing attention and prompting President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
The President invited both former governors of Kano, Rabiu Kwankwaso (who supports Governor Yusuf’s actions) and Abdullahi Ganduje, to discuss the matter.
Governor Ganduje expressed his dissatisfaction with the demolition during a press briefing with State House reporters after the meeting with President Tinubu. According to Ganduje, he hadn’t have a chance to meet with Kwankwaso, stating, “I know he is in the building, but we have not met. Probably if we met, maybe I could have slapped him.”
Despite the discussions and meetings surrounding the demolition, the exercise continues in the state.
