Last night, the Kano State Government demolished a tall multi-million naira roundabout edifice built by the former administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
This added to the number of structures the current administration had demolished since it took over power. Some of the structures demolished so far include a three-storey building with 90 shops located at Nasarawa GRA, shops built along the fence of Sani Abacha Stadium at Kofar Mata, and buildings by GGSS Dukawuya, Goron Dutse.
EDIFICE CONNECTING FOUR ROADS
The historic edifice that cost the Ganduje government N160 million in 2017, according to findings, connects four roads — State Road, Lodge Road, Murtala Muhammad and the Taruani Roads.
Residents who ply these roads told WikkiTimes the edifice contributes to heavy traffic, especially towards the evening.
Ibrahim Adamu, a resident said, “We always have traffic jams almost every evening along that road because it is very close, in fact, in front of the government house of Kano. I am totally in support of the demolition of the roundabout.”
Shareef Mahmud, another resident, shares the same view.
“The roundabout, which is probably a threat to the government house, also obstructs people coming from the other side of the road from seeing the next car because the roundabout is so tall,” he said.
GOVT DEFENDS DEMOLITION
Malam Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the Press Secretary to Governor Abba Yusuf, in a statement, gave reasons the government demolished the structure.
He said the government had consulted professional engineers in the relevant fields who ascertained that the roundabout construction was substandard and could collapse between 2023 and 2024.
The engineers had certified that the project was constructed with used foam work and too many sandy materials instead of the normal cement concrete, it stated.
“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 immediate reconstruction and downsizing to ensure visibility of the government house entrance and safety of motorists,” he stated.
But a Kano-based architect, Atere Yinka disagreed with the government. “Firstly, the major thing to put in mind when designing and executing is the safety of people,” he told WikkiTimes, adding the roundabout “did not go against that yet.”
“So, if they are talking about the height and the obstruction of views from the other side, that’s just a lame excuse. Both the height and the obstruction are lies. With the interconnecting of the structure, they make it easier for you to see the other side with the available space in it,” he added.
Yinka explained that three major things — structural failure, economic impact and aesthetic of the design — are considered in engineering.
He said the aforementioned factors have to be considered before taking down the edifice.
