By Salisu Baso
The member representing Rimin Gado/Tofa in the Kano State House of Assembly and the Deputy Speaker has cried out about some unpatriotic citizens in the state going to rural areas and seizing farmland from local communities to allocate plots in the name of government authorities.
The member, therefore, called on the state assembly to draw the government’s attention to take appropriate measures as the unpatriotic elements are tarnishing the image of the government. The Speaker, who responded to the appeal, directed the joint house committee of Land and Physical Planning as well as Public Petitions to investigate the unknown authorities before legislative action, adding that this is not only in Tofa but also in some parts of the state.
According to the petition letter sent by the people of Dansudu, Unguwar Rimi, and Wangara in Tofa Local Government Area, they called on the state assembly to come to their rescue.
The letter tabled before the house was read by the Majority Leader, Hon. Lawan Hussain, representing Dala Constituency, and the member representing Ungogo, Hon. Aminu Saad, seconded the motion. They were given two weeks to report back to the house.
Briefing journalists after the parliament session, the member representing Rimin Gado/Tofa Constituency and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muhammad Bello Butu Butu, expressed displeasure with the attitude of some unpatriotic elements using the government to seize farmland from farmers and share plots without the government’s knowledge or community leaders.
He said about 160 farmlands have been seized by unauthorized people, neither the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning nor the communities have been informed.
Hon. Butu Butu further said the same incident has happened in the local government, with the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning taking over the farms and allocating plots without developing the lands, while the people have not been allowed to harvest.
He, therefore, said the people of the areas are law-abiding communities and are ready to support the government in developmental initiatives. He called on the state government and the ministry to allow the communities to utilize the lands.
The member also urged the government to monitor some people parading themselves as government officials visiting markets and places collecting revenue without its knowledge, citing an example with Janguza market in Rimin Gado Local Government Area.
