Kaduna commences demolition of Kaswan Barci Market
Hundreds of traders at the popular Kaswan Barci Market in Kaduna early Tuesday embarked on a last-minute rush to vacate the market as the state government started its planned demolition.
A visit to the market showed that traders, mostly second-hand goods dealers were seen moving their goods out of the market as the quit notice given by the state government for traders to vacate the market expired on March 9.
Some of the traders said they were caught unawares as the Kaduna state Urban Planning Development Authority (KASUPDA) officials appeared at 3 am on Tuesday and began the demolition of shops.
A trader, Mustapha Mohammed said that “we got information that our case has been taken to court and the demolition will not take place because it is pending in court.
“Unfortunately, the information was not true and by 3 am, I got a call that my shop is about to be brought down, but I thank God that I could move my goods out on time.”
Another trader, Yusuf Bello said his shop was not affected by last night demolition, but stated that he would take precautions to avert losses.
“I am removing my windows and doors that I can sell while I move my goods to a safe place pending when I get another shop,” he added.
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Responding, the Public Relations Officer KASUPDA, Nuhu Garba, said the agency had issued several notices on government’s plans for the market.
“First we issued them a three -month notice to vacate which they did not heed to; then after some months, we issued them a three -day notice which has just expired,” Garba said.
He said that the demolition is in line with the state government’s urban renewal projects to make the state great again.
