Kaduna State government says the plot of land covered by G-Item No. 1060, currently occupied by the College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Mando, Kaduna, 81 hectares of it has been illegally subdivided and sold, which is 24%.
The Director General of Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA), Alhaji Ismail Umaru Dikko this stated this while briefing Newmen in Kaduna.
According to him, G-Item 1060, Is measuring 338 hectares, was allocated to Northern Veterinary Experimental Station in 1965.
“The College of Agriculture and Animal Science, which succeeded the Northern Veterinary Experimental Station on the land, has developed 47 hectares which are being used for educational purposes and staff housing, stressing that, the College is using another 34.5 hectares for agriculture”
Alhaji Samaila Dikko explained that, about 900 plots have been illegally laid out on the land, with 426 plots either fully developed or at various stages of construction.
He also stated that, Plots of land within the College Administrative and Staff Housing Area have also been sold while private facilities such as an Event Centre, a Petrol Station and Private Residential Houses had been developed.
The Director General noted that, the unlawful subdivisions, excisions and sales of plots were done without the consent or approval of the Kaduna State Government, saying that, it was against the purpose of originally land was allocated.
Alhaji Samaila Dikko further said that, till date, most of G-Item 1060 remains un-utilized .
The Kaduna State Government has taken action to assist institutions like the College of Aviation Zaria,National Eye Centre to reclaim portions of their land illegally sold and to stop attempted excisions of other plots of land allocated to some federal agencies.
He also revealed that, the ABU statement tries to shrink G-Item 1060 from its 1965 size in a vain attempt to pretend that the portion illegally excised and subdivided were never part of the original allocation.
“This is the first time that KASUPDA has seen an instance where a landowner admits ownership of less than his full allocation”
“These are the facts of the matter. A campaign of blackmail by trade unions and management of the institution will neither alter these facts nor confer immunity for violations of the terms of land allocation. It is strange that people who are supposedly out to protect institutional land will not exercise any curiosity regarding the unauthorized excisions that have occurred on the land or demand that their institution investigate how it happened”
“The entire area was a forest when the land was allocated in 1965. Now, it is a veritable part of Kaduna metropolis. The entire area is being replanned in line with the reviewed Kaduna Master Plan Law, 2016 and the Urban Renewal Programme.
He added that, the replanning would preserve the College, its academic facilities, hostels, and staff housing on the current site but with a revised land allocation that more appropriately reflects its actual ability to use the land.
The College will also be allocated land for agriculture in the Kangimi area earmarked for such endeavours in the Kaduna Masterplan.
Shortly after the news briefing, the Director General led some government officials and journalist to the side of the college for inspection which private facilities such as an Event Centre, a Petrol Station and Private Residential Houses developed were seen by journalist.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
