The Kano State commissioner of Works, Idris Wada Saleh, has blamed the Kantin Kwari Market traders for being careless about sanitation as well as building structures illegally in the market.
Over 250 shops were affected as traders at the largest textile in West Africa have lost hundreds of millions of naira.
Many people have blamed the government for converting access roads and waterways to plots for building of shops, which became obstacles to free flow of both storm and wastewater.
Idris Wada Saleh, Kano State commissioner for Works
Idris Wada Saleh, Kano State commissioner for Works
Responding to questions on Rahma Radio, Kano on Wednesday, the commissioner of Works said the traders are to blame for the disaster and that they are lucky it was not as devastating as other places.
“The flood is a global issue that was foreseen. We are even lucky here, others suffer more than us. Look at our neighbours, Jigawa. A bridge collapsed, and nobody plies the road.
“Kantin Kwari is clogged and congested, and traders don’t take care of their environment in order to prepare for a disaster like this.
“Another issue is Kwari Gogau, where buildings were made on waterways,” he added.
He absolved government of blame over structures built on the market roads and waterways, saying the buildings were erected without the permission of government.
The state government had earlier in a statement by the state commissioner for Information, Mohammed Garba, ordered the immediate demolishing of structures on Kwarin Gogau, Kwari Market drainage lines.
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“Kano state Executive Council has approved and direct the immediate marking and demolishing of all existing structures built on Kwarin Gogau stream in the metropolis.
“Also marked for demolishing are drainage lines within and surrounding Kantin Kwari Market, with a view to removing all obstacles that hinder smooth flow of both storm and wastewater in the area,” Mr Garba said.
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