The Chief Press Secretary to Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, has given insights into the reasons behind the demolition of a well-known roundabout constructed during the administration of Abdullahi Ganduje.
He explained in a statement issued on Wednesday that before undertaking the demolition, the government sought the advice of professional engineers specializing in the relevant fields who confirmed that the construction of the roundabout was of substandard quality and had the potential to collapse sometime between 2023 and 2024.
The substandard construction was attributed to the use of recycled foam work and excessive sandy materials, rather than the appropriate cement concrete.
Again, the height of the structure was deemed unsuitable for its placement in front of the Government House, as it obstructed the view necessary for security surveillance, thus compromising the main gate’s appearance.
“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,” the statement said.
However, the secretary to Kano State government, Baffa Bichi highlighted the presence of a cross sign on the roundabout as a contentious factor that led to its removal.
During his appearance on the radio program ‘Barka da Hantsi’ on Freedom Radio, Bichi emphasized that the round about causes an obstruction to the entrance to the government house gate.
According to him, the presence of a cross sign on the roundabout raised religious sensitivities. Given that the majority of Kano’s population is Muslim, it was deemed inappropriate to prominently display a cross sign in front of the Government House.
Recall the Kano State Government demolished a roundabout monument built by the previous administration to commemorate Kano’s Golden Jubilee.
The demolition was carried out over security concerns and the structure was discovered to be poorly constructed and substandard.
The demolition of the roundabout has sparked discussions among residents, with varied opinions on the matter. While some individuals argue in favor of preserving the roundabout as a part of the city’s heritage, others support the government’s decision to address both the practical and religious concerns that were raised.
The government has announced that the roundabout, which once served as a prominent landmark in the area, will be replaced with a simpler traffic intersection.