KASUPDA demolishes N15m property in Kaduna

Written by Maryam Ahmadu-Suka, Kaduna Saturday, 22 September 2012 05:00

Property worth over 15 million naira was yesterday morning, demolished at the Federal Government-owned Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS), Kaduna, by the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA).Our correspondent reports the heavy presence of anti-riot policemen, while the demolition was taking place at the stadium.Areas affected are the shops being constructed to boost revenue drive of the stadium, which had earlier been approved by the Minister of Sports/Chairman of the National Sports Commission(NSC).The NSC Zonal Co-ordinator for North-West 1, Dr. Ademola Ademola explained that already, over 15 million naira has been spent on the project before the demolition.“The irons that have been destroyed alone are worth over eight million naira, besides the sand, cement and chippings.“For now, the damage is unquantifiable because we are not even costing the labour and other sundry expenses,” he said.

Dr. Ademola said he was surprised by the exercise because it is a federal establishment and whatever they are doing is within the confines of the stadium’s premises.He revealed that before embarking on the construction, he had visited KASUPDA with some of his management team where they sought approval, adding that KASUPDA served a letter to the zonal office on September 18th and three days later, he was in the office and saw the demolition taking place.

“A couple of weeks ago, one Nuhu Bello came and was threatening shop owners at the stadium, only for us to see this invasion of privacy,” he said. “We are doing this to help develop the state, boost its revenue generation and help the government create jobs,” he added.The Acting General Manager of KASUPDA, Saratu M. Haruna confirmed that a team was sent to demolish the structures which she termed ‘illegal’ inside the stadium.She explained that it was in response to the need to allow free flow of traffic around the stadium roundabout and its surrounding streets, adding that KASUPDA never approved building of shops within the stadium premises.