By Adamu Abubakar Kumo and Saeed Ahmad Bappah, Gombe

Residents of Bolari West in Gombe Metropolis have commended the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA) for demolishing an illegally-built structure in the area.

Community leaders expressed their satisfaction with the action, praising Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for always championing public interest.

Speaking, Malam Sama’ila Muhammad Gana, Chairman of the Community Security Committee, said the demolished structure “stole away many public facilities” as it was built on the main drainage and solid waste dumping site. We reported the matter as a community to GOSUPDA,” Gana said. They served the person with different notices, invited him to their offices, but he refused to cooperate.

“We are very happy that the government, through GOSUPDA, has stood up and is protecting public interest. Under this government, we are now sure that public interest overshadows or supersedes the personal interest of any person”, he added.

Further commenting, the councilor, representing Bolari West in Gombe Local Government Council, Hon. Bashir Alƙasim applauded GOSUPDA’s efforts. “As you can see, the building here blocked the waterworks by the government.

“Our borehole here is one of the three boreholes to be revitilised and converted to solar-powered for the community. Build this building obstructed the work. It posed a risk of flooding to the neighborhood among many other problems. But thank God that the government, through GOSUPDA, has rescued the situation.”

Hon. Alƙasim highlighted that they attempted to resolve the issue peacefully. “we reported the case to the local authorities, Water Board, and Ministry of Environment, which all have a stake in this. We tried to resolve the issue peacefully and amicably. And we are glad the government, through different authorities especially GOSUPDA, has rescued the situation and placed public interest above all personal interests.”

The councillor urged residents to “be law-abiding and avoid infringing or encroaching on public facilities as they belong and serve the interest of all.”

Clarifying on the demolition exercise, Principal Town Planning Officer at GOSUPDA, Malam Abubakar Isa, explained the legality of the demolition.

“The building violated all urban planning standards and regulations as it was built in a public space where water facilities, waste facilities, and drainage were located, depriving the larger public of access to these services. In addition, it posed a risk of flooding and endangered the safety of the people”, he said.

“Upon receiving complaints from the community, we served the owner with various notices. We engaged him in dialogue where his representative agreed to remove the structure, but the owner refused to comply with the resolutions. Lastly, we served him with demolition notices, and the period also expired without him taking any action. So GOSUPDA invoked its powers and demolished the structure for the interest of the general public”, the Tpl added.

Acting on Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s directive, GOSUPDA also issued removal notices to fruit sellers and traders operating on the sidewalks and setbacks around Union Bank Roundabout. These vendors were obstructing pedestrian flow, hindering driver visibility, and contributing to potential safety hazards.

Furthermore, GOSUPDA conducted enforcement activities at various locations across Gombe Metropolis. This included issuing stop-work orders to halt illegal construction, removal notices for minor violations, and even demolition notices for more serious offenses. These actions targeted areas like Tumfure, Federal Low-cost, and Kwadon. Additionally, GOSUPDA addressed complaints in BAP 25 and 27.