The Kano State House of Assembly has repealed the law establishing the Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA).
The repeal followed the passage of the Kano State Physical Planning and Development Control Bill, which scaled third reading on the floor of the House on Tuesday during plenary presided over by Speaker Jibril Falgore.
Speaking with journalists after the sitting, the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini-Dala, said the new legislation would pave the way for the creation of two metropolitan development agencies that would assume the responsibilities previously handled by KNUPDA.
According to him, the agencies will operate under the supervision of the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning and will help address violations of building regulations across the state.
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“We have passed a bill that will allow the government to create two agencies, Kano Metropolitan Development Authority (KAMA) and KADKA, which are metropolitan development agencies, bringing an end to the KNUPDA law.
“These metropolitan development agencies, known as KAMA and KADKA, will be in charge of the development of Kano metropolitan areas, including construction approvals, rebuilding, urban renewal and creation of cities.
“They will operate directly under the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning.
“Nowadays, people can just buy a plot of land or convert their farms and start erecting structures without regard to planning laws and environmental considerations.
“So, these agencies will now take over the powers vested in KNUPDA. Anyone who wants to build or construct must seek approval and apply for permits.
“They will inspect developments and ensure that everything is done to make our city a standard city like other international cities,” he said.
Hussaini-Dala added that the establishment of KAMA and KADKA had effectively repealed the law that created KNUPDA.
Meanwhile, Speaker Jibril Falgore inaugurated an ad hoc committee to work with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to harmonise the responsibilities of the Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
The committee is expected to facilitate the transfer of animal husbandry, fisheries and other livestock-related functions from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Livestock Development, in line with the Assembly’s resolution.
