Kano state is Nigeria’s second largest commerce hub and a key trading area in the northern region of the country. Its population has grown significantly over the past decade and currently sits somewhere between 9 and 11 million people judging from figures from the National Population Commission. As more people continue to settle in the state, its government has moved to develop three new mega cities to accommodate the rising population.

In a recent development, the State Government disclosed that it spent about N45 billion ($222.17 million) in constructing the new mega cities in the state, a project that State Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso praised, saying it was in line with his administration’s commitment to alleviate the congestion in the capital city.

“All the three cities were constructed at the combined cost of about N45 billion, with the aim of not only decongesting the old Kano city but also to providing better shelter for our citizens in line with global best practices,” the Governor was quoted as saying.

He added that the state government, through the state Housing Corporation in conjunction with the state Investment and Property Company, constructed all the new cities without any local or foreign loans. He said the houses would be sold to all Nigerians without discrimination, and appealed to investors to complement the government’s efforts by making meaningful investments in the real estate sector of the state.

One of the three cities, the Bandirawo City, was recently commissioned by Chief Ernest Shonekan, a former Head of the Nigerian Interim National Government; the city was built on 191 hectares of land in a bid to reduce the housing deficit in the state and country at large. The other two mega cities were named Kwankwasiyya and Amana.

Commending the administration for initiating the project, Chief Shonekan commented; “When financial resources are scarce, governments must make sure that all commissioned projects are used carefully. If commissioned projects are well used, government will be encouraged to do more for the people.”

He added that it is imperative for governments to work with the private sector as far as facilitating infrastructure projects is concerned.

By Emmanuel Iruobe