A monument representing the 50th anniversary of Kano state that was built at the frontage of the gate of the Government House to give it a facelift and identify its culture and history, has been demolished by the state government.
Since the inception of the new government, several other properties said to have been constructed without due processes on lands belonging to the state government, that include malls, hotels and event centres built during the last administration of governor Abdullahi Ganduje have all been demolished.
The demolished Golden Anniversary monument was one of the 10 other designs produced by a young architects in the state is not only an international award winning design, but represents the history and culture of the state.
The monument was approved by a 51-man committee led by late Prof Umar Muhammad and co-chaired by the former Deputy State Governor, Prof Hafiz Abubakar. It was said to represent the old city of Kano, it's ever growing modern status as well as it's hospitality.
Meanwhile there are ripples in the state over the demolition of the monument with a major critic of the former governor Ganduje, Mr Jafar Jafar, now in asylum in the United Kingdom, condemning the demolition of the monument.
Jafar, who made public the controversial dollar video on Ganduje that led to his leaving the country, posted on his Facebook wall expressing dissatisfaction with the act despite his support for the government.
"We must all condemn this thoughtless decision to demolish this monument, designed by a young female architect to commemorate Kano’s Golden Jubilee.
"I support the ongoing demolition of private buildings in schools, hospitals, mosques, but not wanton destruction of public monuments/buildings, simply because they were built by Ganduje.
"I do not like the politician in Ganduje but I like some of his projects as a governor" Jafar stated.
However, in a swift response, the Kano state government says it demolished it for security and safety purpose and will reconstruct another one. This is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor Sanusi Bature.
"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" he stated.
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