Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has suspended the Managing Director of the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), Arc. Hauwa Hassan Tudun-wada, over alleged irregularities in town planning and physical development activities in the state.
The development was revealed by the Governor’s media aide, Hon. Nanu Kankarofi, who said the decision was part of efforts to sanitize the urban planning sector and address reported violations across Kano metropolis.
According to him, the state government has also constituted a high-powered investigative committee through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim, to examine the operations of KNUPDA and issues relating to illegal structures and land-use violations.
The committee will be chaired by the Director-General of the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS), Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani, who also heads the Kano State Special Task Force on Illegal Structures.
In a separate statement confirming the suspension, the Press Secretary to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Tanko Muhammad, said the government took the step to ensure transparency and allow for a proper investigation.
“As part of measures to ensure transparency and facilitate an unhindered investigation, the Governor has directed the Managing Director of KNUPDA and the Authority’s Director of Architecture to step aside for the duration of the investigation,” the statement said.