FLASH POINT

The Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) recently hosted its former General Managers and Directors-General to an interactive session aimed at fostering collaboration, sharing experiences, and seeking advice for the continued growth and success of the Authority.

In a statement issued by the Assistant Director of the Public Affairs Unit, Nuhu Garba Dan’ayamaka, the following former leaders were in attendance:
• Rufa’i Alhaji Mohammed, General Manager (1992–1993; 2007–2010)
• TPL. Na’omi Haruna Galadimawa, General Manager (1999–2004)
• TPL. Saratu M. Haruna, General Manager (2012–2016)
• Arc. Abdullahi Sa’idu, Overseer (17th August – 3rd October, 2016)
• Isma’il Umaru Dikko, Director-General (2019–2024)

Those who tendered their apologies include:
• Mr. Dominic Yahaya, General Manager (1985–1986; 1990–1992)
• Mr. Tanko Tete, General Manager (1990–October 1990)
• Mr. Jehu Gwani, General Manager (1995–1999)
• TPL. Ibrahim G. Hussaini, General Manager (January 2010–2012)
• Arc. Fausat Ibikunle, General Manager/Director-General (2016–2019)

In his opening remarks, the Director-General of KASUPDA, Bldr. Abdurrahman Yahya, Ph.D, expressed gratitude to the former leaders for honouring the invitation. He explained that the objectives of the meeting were to strengthen relationships, share knowledge, tap into their wealth of experience, and identify challenges that could hinder the Authority’s effectiveness.

He further assured the participants that their contributions would be given due consideration and pledged to sustain the interactive forum as a continuous platform for engagement.

Discussions during the session focused on:
• Achieving sustainable urban planning through community welfare and commercial development.
• Promoting professionalism in urban and physical planning, layouts, and development control.
• Extending the implementation of the Urban and Regional Planning Law to rural communities.
• Enforcing building regulations, development standards along rivers and highways, and compliance for petrol stations and high-tension areas.
• Ensuring the consistent application of KASUPDA guidelines in all development activities.

Additional recommendations included strengthening staff capacity, improving welfare and logistics, enhancing computerisation of KASUPDA’s operations, and boosting public sensitisation through radio jingles and other media.

Participants also underscored the importance of integrity, sacrifice, and adherence to professional ethics among staff, while identifying the prevailing economic situation as a major factor fueling informal business activities along roadsides, posing challenges to effective urban planning in Kaduna State and across the nation.

The invitation for discussions, interactive, site visitations and engagement meetings are part of the DG’s initiatives programme in line with His Excellency, Mal. Uba Sani’s commitments to listen to the people and address issues.