Abba Yusuf signs executive order prohibiting illegal allocation of government land

Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, has signed an executive order prohibiting the illegal allocation of land belonging to government-owned schools, hospitals, and other public utilities.

In the executive order, Yusuf prohibited state government agencies and ministries from approving any structures, whether permanent, curve-out, or corner shop, in any part of the state.

The governor stated that only the ministry of land and physical planning shall “process, confer, or approve any occupancy permit to any person” in the state.

Yusuf also ordered that “any allocation, revocation, or alteration on any market stall, shop, or otherwise any existing business interest in the metropolitan and all other designated urban areas shall follow the existing legal regime governing the land use in the state”.

“State ministry, department, agency, or any local government council in the state shall approve the conversion, sell, or transfer of any landed properties, owned, allocated, or otherwise vested in it in whatever manner howsoever without the prior express approval of the Governor firsthand and obtained,” parts of the executive order read.

The second section of the order prohibits the allocation of land around the ancient Kano city walls.

“No public institution or local government council in the state, including the ministry of land and physical planning and federal institutions, shall process or cause the approval of any occupancy permit on any part of the ancient Kano city wall,” the section reads.

Speaking during the signing of the order, Yusuf said the state government is concerned about the public outcry over the illegal allocation of land within or on public schools’ premises, hospitals, and other public utilities.

The governor ordered the chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to ensure strict compliance with the order.

The executive order was signed on October 24.