By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A group of concerned citizens in Kaduna has accused the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) of corruption, religious and ethnic discrimination, and mismanagement under the leadership of Director-General Dr. Abdulrahman Yahya.The allegations, contained in a petition signed by Ibrahim Abubakar, claim that KASUPDA has shifted from its statutory mandate to operate as a personal business enterprise benefiting selected permanent and casual staff.
The petition raises concerns over alleged religious and ethnic discrimination, stating that “the DG is discriminating against staff who are not of the same faith or ethnic group, even among Muslims.” The group further alleges that this practice has created divisions within the agency, undermining Kaduna State Governor Sen. Dr. Uba Sani’s efforts to foster peace and unity.
On staffing, the petition notes that over 200 casual workers, including personnel from Kaduna South Local Government, were employed and placed above senior permanent staff. The group claims these casual staff engage in illegal activities, such as extorting money from developers using demolition notices and falsifying planning permits, reportedly accumulating wealth through these practices.“ Casual staff buy luxury cars and properties with funds extorted from developers,” the petition stated. “They also fuel official vehicles with personal funds for weekend patrols, contravening civil service regulations.”
The petition further cites cases of forged approvals, mismanagement of permit billings, and irregular allocation of land and green areas. It alleges that consultants and casual staff collect payments from applicants for services like site analysis, soil testing, and signage fees, remitting only a fraction to the government while retaining large sums.The group also raised safety concerns, citing indiscriminate approval of petrol stations and gas outlets in residential and commercial areas, including MRS petrol station at Yoruba Road and gas stations at Alkali Road and Maraban Rido. Such approvals, they argue, pose significant risks to public safety.
Additionally, the petition criticizes the closure of zonal offices, citing delays in processing permits and revenue collection, and claims that permanent and experienced staff wrongfully retired in 2022 have not been reinstated despite court orders.“Green areas meant to mitigate climate change and pollution are being allocated for car washes, shops, and restaurants, exposing the public to environmental hazards,” the petition added.In conclusion, the group called on Governor Uba Sani to take urgent action, recommending the dismissal of casual staff, a review of KASUPDA operations, and appointment of experienced professionals to restore the agency’s integrity.
The petition, entitled “Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA): A Hub of Corruption, Religious Fanaticism, and a Business Enterprise — Need to Declare a State of Emergency,” urges swift intervention to protect public interest and restore confidence in urban planning governance in Kaduna State.
