Why Kano multi-billion naira mega cities are still empty

Kano State government has explained why the newly constructed mega cities are yet to be allotted to people almost two months after completion of the multi-billion naira housing estates.

Currently the Kano multi-billion naira mega cities are nothing short of empty.

The housing projects which were said to have been executed to decongest Kano cities and provide shelter for residents in the face of the dwindling housing deficit in Nigeria was constructed under the immediate past administration. The three mega cities are situated at Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo, on 191 hectares. The projects cost 45 billion.

Speaking with journalists on his assumption of office, the new Managing Director of Kano Investment and Property Limited, Dr. Jubirila Muhammed, explained that the proposed occupants of the houses were yet to complete payment of the required deposit, in line with the terms of payment, before moving into their residence.

Muhammed hinted that “the houses were allotted based on the terms and regulations that must be complied with before handing over the keys to the rightful owner. “As you know, the payment is staggered and you don’t expect government to give out the property when the prospective owners have not even paid half of the money. So, there would be proper handing over of the houses by the time they complete the payment”.

It was gathered that before now, there was public outcry over the fixed cost of the houses which many considered exorbitant for common resident. Despite the 15 per cent discount placed on each category of the houses, many insisted that the buildings are beyond the reach of the ordinary resident. The estates with two to four bedroom flat go for between N13 million and N35 million based on the category.

Meanwhile, the government has announced that a Chinese firm has purchased 250 houses and 41 hectares of land in one of the cities for N5 billion.

Muhammed hinted that plan was under way for construction of new low cost housing estates that would be affordable for low income earners and physically challenged in the state.

On his plan to build veritable environment for investment opportunities, Muhammed said the Kano Investment and Property Limited (KIPL) would put in place conducive atmosphere to attract foreign and local investment. “Our plan was to build conducive business environment for potential investors. We would do everything humanly possible to create safe places and would also invest prudently to boost IGR. Also, something very important is security, it is only when your society is safe that you would call for investors to come. Nobody would want to risk investment in such uncertain place. We are confident that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje is putting in place the strategic measures to create conducive environment for businesses to thrive,” he said.

We hope the Kano multi-billion naira mega cities come alive soon.