Following the conflicting reports on the exact numbers of houses demolished in Zaria Grace land, the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) has clarified that 160 houses were removed in the affected area.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Spokesman of KASUPDA, Nuhu Garba, in a statement on Monday.
The statement noted that the authority had to react to the rumours being circulated in social media which have been quoting conflicting numbers of the structures that were removed during the exercise.
According to the statement, the entire Grace Land have a total of 395.5 hectares of which 337 hectares will be regularised.
The statement also said that the 160 buildings which were removed, were located at the rest 58.5 hectares.
According to the statement, the removal exercise was done after the expiration of twenty-four (24) hours notice was served on the owners of the property.
It recalled that the area where the removal exercise was undertaken falls within the area where demolition notices were issued in 2011, 2014 and 2020.
It further recalled that a complaint was made by the Nigerian College of Aviation (NCAT), Zaria on their encroached land since 2011.
“The encroachment, NCAT told Kaduna State Government, prevented the management from expanding and fencing the school.
“In view of this, and in line with the State Government’s Urban Renewal Initiative and in the compliance with High Court Order of Zaria Division, the Authority removed the unapproved developments between Sunday/Monday, 3_4/10/2021, the statement noted.
The statement, therefore, thanked the general public, especially residents of the area for their understanding and co-operation.
