Introduction

This is the report of a Policy Dialogue that took place

on Saturday, May 24, 2008, at Mambayya House,
Kano. The dialogue was organized by the Centre for
Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya House,
in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Justice,
and was supported by the Law Firm of Dikko and
Mahmoud, Kano. The report presents the introduction
to the Policy Dialogue‟ its main deliberations, and
findings of the exercise. Thereafter, recommendations
are provided, which if implemented by the government
and other stakeholders, the problem of traffic
management in Kano would be overcome.

Many an inhabitant or important visitor to metropolitan

Kano today expresses deep angst over the state of
traffic and transportation system in the state, despite the
fact that the state government is never neglectful of its
responsibility in terms of building new roads and streets
across the state. Indeed motorists and passengers on the
streets of urban Kano wonder whether they are in the
midst of a circus, given the chaotic nature of traffic
movement and mode of driving, especially given the
large population of Kano (which is the most populated
state in Nigeria according to the 2006 Census figures).

The glaring reality in metropolitan Kano these days is a

poor transport system, which is characterized by poor
road networks, failed traffic lights, mountainous refuse
dumps, over flooded gutters and roadside drainages,
and encroachment into road surfaces by itinerant traders
and hawkers of wares. Very few motorists seem to
know or care to comply with traffic regulations, and
often, there is hardly any authority to enforce such
regulations. A deep sense of anger and frustration is
written visibly on the faces of virtually all traffic users
and pedestrians. Everything and everyone is at risk. The
 2

worst victims are women and children. People‟s health

and wealth have never had it so bad, while convenience
and comfort on the road had since become a foregone
aspiration.

Chaotic traffic is admittedly common to most urban

centres in Nigeria. Kano however, in recent past seems
to have more than a fair share of this burden. The
proliferation of motor-cycle taxis in the city is
unmatched by any Nigerian town or city. The riders
seem to generally operate above the law contributing to
serious accidents, injuring many and contributing to
increasing air and noise pollution. Some of them
engage in petty crimes further compounding the
nuisance. The problem, however, is not just „Yan
Achaba‟. Our culture of road use has considerably
worsened in recent years. Most road users don‟t respect
traffic rules and regulations. Our streets, roads, side-
walks, highways and the few open spaces remaining in
the city have been taken over by traders, second hand
car dealers, other small businesses, beggars and
hawkers of all sorts of wares ranging from petrol to
cigarettes. The authorities seem to be in a constant
retreat on enforcement issues thereby broadening the
scope of lawlessness. The situation is simply becoming
unbearable.

Kano however has additional burden. It is evidently

lagging behind in initiatives aimed at tackling these
problems. Nothing apparently depicts the dire state of
rule of law in Nigeria and in Kano in particular more
than the chaos in roads and streets where the rule of law
has been replaced by the “Rule of All”. If Kano must
restore its glory as the Centre of Commerce, as a decent
city to live and bring up our children, urgent and
decisive steps need to be taken to restore it as a clean,
 3

attractive and efficient city with modern infrastructure

including safe and decent public transport system.

Objectives Of The Dialogue

The specific objectives of the Policy Dialogue were as
follows:
 To bring to the attention of all stakeholders,
relevant authorities, and the general public the
current chaotic situation in urban Kano regarding
traffic management and urban mass transportation
system;
 To identify the key areas of failure and the factors
responsible for such failure;
 To identify the major effects and the social costs
of the current situation;
 To identify short term, medium term, and long
term measures needed to address the problem; and
 To recommend concrete measures that would help
to co-ordinate and streamline efforts in tackling
the problem.

Justification for the Dialogue

It is in response to these urgent challenges that the
Centre of Democratic Research and Training,
Mambayya House, Bayero University, Kano in
collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Justice
and with the support of the Law Firm of DIKKO &
MAHMOUD convened this Policy Dialogue that
brought stakeholders together to review the situation,
identify short, medium and long term policy measures
that need to be taken to reverse the current trends and
enthrone an efficient traffic management system and
transportation infrastructure in the State.
 4

Methodology
The policy dialogue was conducted in one day and
comprises three sessions: The first session was a brief
opening ceremony. The opening session comprises
brief opening remarks by organizers and Chair of the
session as well as a keynote presentation defining the
broad issues of the dialogue. The participants then
broke into five working groups. Each group discussed
one major theme and come up with observations and
recommendations. The discussion in each group was
coordinated by a facilitator and lead discussant (s)
identified on the basis of their area of expertise and
interest. The final activity was another plenary session
that synthesized all group presentations. It is envisaged
that a Final Report will be published and circulated to
the State and Local Government authorities and all
stake holders.

Key Issues
The following were the key issues addressed during the
Policy Dialogue:
i) Road systems and their condition
ii) Modes of transportation in Kano
iii) Traffic laws and enforcement agencies (State and
Federal)
iv) Population and general environmental issues
v) Traffic volume and explosion
vi) Condition of vehicles
vii) Awareness of traffic rules and regulations
viii) People‟s attitude towards traffic rules and
regulations
ix) Parking and other facilities
x) Unauthorized structures on road sides
xi) Road networks, development and expansion
xii) Public transport system
xiii) Health risks posed by poorly maintained and
driven vehicles
 5

Participanting Stakeholders
Participants at the Policy Dialogue came from diverse
backgrounds, but the following were the most
conspicuous:
 Kano State Ministry of Justice
 Kano State House of Assembly
 Kano State Judiciary
 Ministry of Works
 Ministry of Environment
 Ministry of Planning and Budget
 Ministry of Health
 State Fire Service
 Urban Planning and Development Agency
 The State Police Command
 Federal Road Safety Commission
 Directorate of Vehicle Inspection
 Board of Internal Revenue
 The Hizba Board
 The Sharia Commission
 The Ulama (Islamic Scholars)
 Community Leaders/Traditional Rulers
 Trade and Labour Unions
 Road Transport Unions
 Commercial Motorcycle Unions
 Environment Activists
 Professional Associations
 The Academia
 The Media

Opening Session
The Opening session commenced by the opening prayer
delivered by Dr. Saidu Ahmed Dukawa, Director
General, Hisbah Board. Welcome remarks were made
by A.B. Mahmoud (SAN) and Malam Muzzammil Sani
Hanga, who was drafted in as the chair of the occasion
 6

due to the unavoidable absence of the Kano State

Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice,
Barrister Aliyu Umar, offered an opening remarks.
In his introductory remarks A.B. Mahmoud (SAN) gave
a brief back ground to the Policy Dialogue; examines
the various thematic areas of the breakout sessions and
defined the expected outcome at the end of the
workshop. Describing the growing chaotic traffic
situation in Kano, he said it has reached a crisis level
and has continued to be compounded by the absence of
decent and organized public transport system.
Commercial motorcycle riders generally operate above
the law, leading to fatal accidents, injuring many and
contributing to increasing air and noise pollution. He
also argued that most road users do not respect traffic
rules and regulations. Indeed, many simply do not
know them. The streets, roads side-walks, highways
and the few open spaces in the city have been taken
over by traders, second hand car dealers, other small
business, beggars and hawkers of all sorts of wares
ranging from petrol to cigarettes. The relevant
authorities seem to be in constant retreat on law
enforcement issues thereby broadening the scope of
lawlessness. Consequently, the one day Policy
Dialogue should be able to come up with specific
recommendations on the short, medium and long term
measures to address the present predicament.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman explained to the

audience that the purpose of the forum was to look at
the problems of traffic congestion in Kano. He said,
historically, Kano had the refutation of attracting
visitors, who came from far and wide to interact freely
and transact businesses without any fear of molestation.
Regrettably, looking at our roads and streets over the
past few years, things have changed. Hardly could one
 7

get someone that is satisfied with the conduct of life in

Kano.

He argued that movements on roads, streets and

highways are good measure of the life of people living
in any town and their Government. Therefore, as one
takes a look at our roads, streets and highways, one
could have an appreciation of the type of people living
in Kano and their attitude toward the authorities. We
have clearly failed to put the necessary pressure on the
relevant authorities to plan and organize our roads,
streets and highways in our cities and towns. We have
been able to confirm that we are a people under a
perpetual struggle for social justice.

Consequently, the people of Kano freely express their

regrets and lamentations over plethora of problems
along our roads, streets and highways. Despite the
existence of traffic laws, the relevant authorities are in
constant retreat to enforce them. The culture of
indiscriminate hawking and unlawful use of public
space constitute big problems in Kano. The highly
unorganized motor cycle riders have added to the
nuisance, noise and confusion on our roads.

Therefore, as a result of the chaotic traffic situation,

Kano is in dire need of a dynamic and courageous
government to enforce traffic laws, review old laws,
embark on massive enlightenment on proper road usage
and set a time frame for total compliance. All
stakeholders must unite to ensure total compliance by
all and sundry. We must also endeavour to learn from
countries that are more organized.

Finally, the Chairman specially thanks Mambayya

House for organizing the dialogue, and expressed
appreciation to A.B. Mahmoud and the Kano State
 8

Ministry of Justice for their support. He also expressed

the hope that the challenges on our roads, streets and
highways would be overcome within six months.

Key Note Address

The key note address was presented by the Head of
Geography Department Bayero University, Kano,
Malam M.A. Liman and is divided into five parts. Part
one comprises the introduction, which explains the
economic basis of transportation and how the
organization and management of modes of transport
determines the overall growth of any settlement. The
second part highlights in brief the development of
commercial transport services in Kano metropolis. This
section argues that for settlements north of Nigeria
Kano is the leader in commercial transport services
dating back to the 1950s. The third part describes the
features of commercial transport service in Kano which
is dominated by private individuals or what he called
the informal sector of the economy.

The fourth part examines the transport service problems

in Kano. These consist of infrastructure related
problems such as lack of bus stops, parking space, bus
terminals etc. In addition, some of the problems are
service management related; others still are user
behaviour related problems. Most of the road users are
ignorant of basic traffic regulations and have received
no formal training prior to using the roads. The last
part suggests ways forward. In the short term, the
government must muster the political will to reclaim
public space and preserve it for transportation only. In
the medium term bus terminals, bus stops and parking
spaces must be provided by the government at all major
centres and along major streets and ensure legal
protection to all road users and transport services
consumers in Kano metropolis.
 9

Summary of Group Presentations/Discussions

Group one looked at the theme “Road Usage,
Enforcement of Traffic Rules and Regulations,
Licensing and Revenue Generation and the Role of
Federal, State and Local Government Agencies”. The
group examined all aspects of road usage and
enforcement of rules and regulations. Questions such
as the following were asked: Why are rules not being
enforced? How can these be enhanced? Does the State
need a special agency for this? How can we ensure that
all vehicle operators, motor-cycles, taxis, buses etc, are
properly trained and licensed and know their
responsibilities? Lagos State is battling the Federal
Government to take over the issuance of drivers‟
license within the state which it believes would give it
greater control and also allow it to determine its own
standards. Should we look in that direction? Should
the Ministry of Works establish or facilitate the
establishment of driving schools in the state? Should
motor cycle taxi or indeed any taxi not registered and
licensed with the municipal authorities be allowed to
operate? How best can the municipal authorities
collaborate with the state government and federal
agencies to enhance the institutional arrangements for
better traffic management in the metropolis or have
joint investments in public infrastructure? Should the
state use enforcement as means of generating revenues,
instilling discipline, sanitizing the road culture, and
raising money to further invest in traffic management,
in road signs and public transportation? Alhaji Danyaro
Yakasai was the lead discussant in this group which
was chaired by Malam Muzammil Sani Hanga. The
rapporteur was Ibrahim Aliyu El-Yakub.

Group two looked at “Urban Public Transport Systems,

Modes of Transportation and Modern Urban Traffic
 10

Management Strategies and Models from Other States”.

Kano was a pace setter in this as in many other areas.
Kano in 1989 had developed its own mass transit
master plan with municipal bus service and even trams
designed to use existing rail tracks in the city planned
for the future. In the late sixties and early seventies
Kano was perhaps the first city to have metered taxis
and one of the first to have a modern bus service both
municipal and inter-state. What happened to these
initiatives? The group was lucky to have one of the
brains behind the Abuja mass transit programme, a
Kano born manager, Alhaji Tijjani Abdullahi. He
oversaw the establishment of the Abuja Urban Mass
Transit Company and Abuja Leasing Company. Alhaji
Tijjani has shared his experience with the group. We
have learnt from him the legal, institutional and
financial arrangement used in Abuja. Several other
initiatives are currently underway in Imo (Clean and
Green Initiative), in Lagos in Kaduna and other cities.
The initiative we have seen in Kano so far is the tri-
cycle (A Daidaita Sahu). The Director General,
Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology was also in
this group as the lead discussant to provide additional
technical guidance. Arch Umar Tofa was the
facilitator. Alhaji Tijjani Mohammed Abdullahi was
the second lead discussant, and Abubakar Aminu
Ahmad the rapporteur.

Group three examined the sub-theme “Public health,

Public Safety and Environmental issues and Public
Transportation in Kano”. The absence of a decent and
safe mode of public transport has resulted in tragic
accidents and is contributing to serious hazards arising
from noise and air pollution. Many people are either
unaware or simply underrate the health hazards posed
by the polluted environment they are subjected to. The
Nigerian Environmental Protection Agency, in
collaboration with state agencies is legally expected to
 11

set and enforce amongst other things minimum

standards for air quality in our cities that is required for
optimal human, animal and plant health. Have these
standards been defined? Are they enforced? Why not?
What is the State Ministry of Environment doing to
ensure that these are enforced? Issues around climate
change and global warming have become very topical
recently. How do these affect us? Is environmental
degradation in neighbouring states and countries or
even in rural Kano contributing to the influx into the
city? What are the long term implications? What
should be our strategy of dealing with this in the short
term and in the long term? Engr. Hussam Musa Karry
was the lead discussant in this group under guidance of
one of our leading physicians Dr. Musa Borodo. The
rapporteur was Ismail Bala Garba.

Group four discussed “Urban Planning, Population

Explosion, Public Space and Issues of Public
Transportation in Urban Kano”. A lot has been heard
in recent times about the Abuja Master Plan. Nothing
is heard of master plans in other cities in Nigeria. But
Kano had its own master plan detailed and
comprehensive. It was presumably revised with the
support of the UNDP in the early or mid seventies.
Kano has had one of the best organized departments of
urban and regional planning in the North and probably
in the whole of Nigeria. For cities, is there an
alternative to long term planning? Can we address
problems of traffic management and public
transportation effectively without proper planning? In
the meantime, what should we do with traders, small
businesses the hawkers etc that have taken over all our
remaining open public spaces including walkways,
streets, roads, road-divides etc? We have the
representative of the Managing Director of Kano Urban
Planning and Development Authority and former
 12

Managing Director, Kano State Urban Development

Board, Arch. Mohammed Aminu Kani as the lead
discussant, and Engr. Mustapha H. Bichi as the
facilitator, M.B. Dan‟azumi was the rapporteur.

Group five looked at the sub-theme “Attitudinal,

Behavioural, Cultural and Religious Issues in Public
Space and Transportation”. The group discussed the
more sensitive cultural, religious and behavioural issues
around the use of public space and public
transportation. Islam is a religion of peace. The rights
of the individual are carefully balanced against those of
the community. Yet we have seen how people in
furtherance of their individual pursuits are all too
willing to jeopardize our collective rights. Often, our
indiscipline as a people is masked behind religious
obligations. Why are we quick to turn public roads and
highways into praying grounds in total disregard for the
needs of other users? It is practically impossible to
travel into or out of Kano along certain major highways
at certain hours on Fridays as people have turned them
into praying grounds and do so with impunity. What
about the sick people or women in labour who need to
be ferried to the hospital. What about fire or other
emergency services or simply other road users on their
journeys? The government as part of its campaigns
against indiscipline has erected signs on our streets with
solemn prayers. But should we not have street names,
roads signs etc to direct visitors and residents thereby
easing movements on our roads and streets?

A leading Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil led

the discussion supported by a facilitator Dr. Khalil
Ibrahim Sa‟id, former Librarian of Bayero University,
Kano and senior officials of the Organization of Islamic
Conference (OIC), Murtala Abubakar Ringim was the
rapporteur.
 13

Observations, Challenges and Recommendations

At the end of the syndicate group discussions, reports
were presented and discussed at the plenary session,
after which the following observations, challenges, and
recommendations were catalogued and adopted.

1. Observations
The following are the key observations made at this
one-day Policy Dialogue:
1. Many of the problems encountered today are
transport infrastructure problems, which include the
absence or non-provision of bus terminals, bus stops
and parking spaces.

2. Roadsides in contemporary Kano serve as spaces

for hawking wares, parking, mechanical workshops
or concrete block industries. In addition, building
materials, unserviceable vehicles, equipment and
machine parts are dumped on roads causing
congestion and posing danger to all roads users.

3. Another category of the problems is road user-

behaviour. For instance, the average Nigerian road
user is a bully, who is often ignorant of traffic
regulations or has disrespect for them. Many such
users lack a formal training in road use and are
impatient when on the road.

4. Road users are not guaranteed protection from other

users, just as traffic law violators are allowed to
repeatedly commit their offences with impunity.

5. There exists the culture of defacing road signs

where they exist, which renders them of no use to
traffic and other road users.
 14

6. Kano State used to have efficient town planning

regulations whose objective was to properly control
public space usage. Such regulations have
apparently disappeared and/or failed to properly be
enforced by the relevant authority, namely Kano
State Urban Planning and Development Agency
(KNUPDA).

7. The traffic problem in Kano is manifold, and

includes public health, safety and environmental
issues. These include air pollution emanating
mainly from motorcycles and rickety cars and
buses, as well as direct physical injuries to road user
especially pedestrians. The effect of air pollution
today will most likely not manifest until a few years
to come.

8. Other forms of hazard to road users are water

hawking trolleys, which often cause serious injury
or damage to road users, as well as rubbish and
sewage dumped on road surfaces which pose great
health hazards to the people.
9. Cultural and religious events also contribute to
traffic congestion. For instance, Friday prayers,
wedding ceremonies, religious lectures, etc all take
up public space, which indeed is contrary to
religious teachings.
2. Challenges
Certain challenges exist which either cause or
exacerbate the problems identified by this Policy
Dialogue. The challenges include the following:
1. There is an apparent lack of political will on the part
of government to properly address the current crisis
situation in Kano. In other cases, the government or
politicians are partly the cause of the traffic
congestion witnessed, through, for instance, the
 15

purchase of motorcycles and giving them out to

youths as a means of livelihood.
2. There are in existence conflicting or overlapping
laws which need to be properly harmonized, and
where the laws are clear of this conflict, they are not
duly enforced as offenders often walk away with
impunity, leading to repeated violation of such laws
in the future.
3. Population explosion is a major challenge in urban
planning and the protection of public space.
4. There is lack of an active regulatory body that is
monitoring the air pollution in our environment and
its sources.
5. There is a misperception that only the government
owes its people certain responsibilities and not vice
versa, and that government property could be
misused or misappropriated, for example,
pedestrian walkways, parking spaces, pavements,
and even road surfaces, with impunity.
6. Manpower shortage is another challenge for the
government agency charged with urban planning
due to the rapid growth of the metropolitan Kano.
7. Political leaders, especially the executive, and
bank vehicles do contribute to traffic law violations
through their over speeding and undue haste when
on the road. Their blaring sirens often harass and
scare many an average road user.
Recommendations
In order to make any head-way in addressing the
numerous problems cited above, the Policy Dialogue
recommends the following short, medium and long
term measures to the problems identified;
A. Short Term
1. Government must rise to its responsibility and
muster the political will to put things under control
 16

and resist all criticisms in its effort to ameliorate

this situation.
2. Religious exhortations should be employed in
public enlightment regarding road use and the
misappropriation of public space.
3. Massive publicity campaign is necessary by all
stakeholders, but particularly the government, its
agencies and individuals to educate the public
appropriately.
4. Traffic law enforcement should be all-
encompassing and all-inclusive. It should be
insensitive to persons no matter their status in
society or rank in government.
5. Strict no smoking regulation should be enforced in
all public transportation vehicles to minimize air
pollution and its attendant health hazards.
6. Traffic law offenders must be properly prosecuted
in order to serve as a deterrent to other potential
offenders. That is, laws need to be implemented
properly by the relevant agency.
7. A task force needs to be set up which should study
the traffic control systems in other states or
countries, and find out what could be used as a
model in Kano for efficient traffic management.
8. Government should urgently consider making some
roads in urban Kano one way.
9. All public vehicles should have comfortable seats to
guard against injuries and seat belts provided where
required. Overloading such vehicles with
passengers and goods should be strictly prohibited
by the relevant government agency.
10. No animals should be allowed into public transport
systems, and on our roads.
 17

B. Medium Term
1. Proper legal protection should be put in place for
road users and transport service consumers
including exhaust emission regulations for public
health safety.
2. Government using its relevant agencies must
endeavour to reclaim the streets from vendors,
hawkers, refuse dumps, mechanics, beggars and
other unauthorized users, as well as mark out the
streets for effective traffic management.
3, The creation of job opportunities for the youth will
slowly take many of them off the streets since many
of them are in the commercial motorcycle business
in the absence of a more decent job.
4. Government should improve the capacity of the
urban planning agency, and also revise the Kano
Master Plan which has been rendered ineffective by
time and population growth.
5. Ministries of Health and Environment and their
relevant parastatals should establish a team to
address the issue of air pollution and its sources.
Relevant laws on environmental protection against
pollution need to be proposed or revised.
6. There is a strong perception that the reckless driving
on our roads and many of consequent accidents
caused are facilitated by the use of hard drugs by
drivers. Thus, relevant agencies need to monitor this
behaviour and undertake periodic blood tests to
detect drivers using hard drugs.
7. Investment by private enterpreneurs is required for
the establishment and sustainance of an efficient
mass transit transport system in Kano.
8. Government should urgently relocate all road side
mechanics, welding workshop etc to their
 18

permanent layout at Kwakwaci, Dawanau and

Maikalwa. This is the practice in all big cities such
as Abuja, Ilorin, Port-Harcourt, Owerri and Aba.
9. Last Kano Master Plan was meant to cover the
period between 1963 and 1983. Thus, Government
should re-define the concept of structural
development and revamp the dwindling structures,
green parks etc.
10. Government should urgently take measures to
curtail indiscriminate immigration into Kano and
integrate the traditional institution to monitor same
so as to avert re-occurance of Maitatsine
catastrophe and the recent Panshekara crisis.
C. Long Term
1. There is the need to provide bus terminals, bus
stops, parking spaces, and a mass transit system that
will end in a park-and-ride zone. Government
should also declare a public transport zone in order
to properly ease traffic congestion.
2. The Ministry of Education should be encouraged to
include proper road usage and other social issues in
the relevant sections of the school curriculum in its
various schools.
3. There is the need for government to identify a
relevant authority that would study the problems
and be advising government on the way forward, on
a continuous basis since the transportation
challenges of urbanization are dynamic.
4. In order to control air pollution from exhaust
smoke, 2 stroke engine motorcycles should be
phased out gradually and be replaced with 4 stroke
engines.
 19

5. The use of IT systems in traffic management will

greatly improve compliance to laws and will reduce
government responsibilities and manpower needs.
Conclusion
The policy dialogue, which was primarily convened to
address the current chaotic traffic conditions in urban
Kano, with a view to recommending short term,
medium term and long term broad policy measures
needed to address the problem, attracted over one-
hundred participants drawn from a wide range of
stakeholders within the State and outside. Participants
at the dialogue identified several factors behind the
chaotic traffic situation in Kano ranging from
proliferation of motor-cycle taxis, ignorant or disrespect
of traffic rules and regulations by most road users, lack
of enforcement of traffic rules, absence of bus
terminals, bus stops and parking spaces and above all
lack of political will on the part of government and its
agencies to enforce the observance of traffic
regulations.
Accordingly, several practical policy measures were
recommended to address the identified problems such
as the urgent need to embark on massive publicity
campaign to educate the road users and the general
public, prosecute traffic law offenders no matter their
status or rank in society, reclaiming the streets from
hawkers, vendors and other unauthorized users as well
as the need for government to muster the political will
to address the problems.
On the whole, participants at the dialogue concluded
that all the recommendations articulated at the forum
require attitudinal change on the part of the people to be
achieved through sustainable sensitization campaigns
and government firm resolve and commitment to
enforce the observance of traffic rules and regulations
in the state.
 20

APPENDICES

APPENDIX I: Welcome Address

Remarks by A.B. Mahmoud (SAN), OON,

Fclarb To the One Day Policy Dialogue on
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN KANO

Organized by

Centre for Democratic Research and Training

(Mambayya House)
Bayero University, Kano

In Collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of

Justice
Supported by the Law Firm of DIKKO &
MAHMOUD
Saturday, 24th May, 2008

I am greatly honoured and privilege to be called upon to

give these introductory remarks at this one day policy
dialogue on Traffic Management and Public
Transportation in Urban Kano. No one in this hall will
doubt the necessity and indeed the urgency for this
workshop.
I intend in these remarks to give a brief background to
this policy dialogue and also to sketch, with a broad
brush, as it were, the various sub-themes for the
workshop and what we expect to achieve at the end of
today.
 21

First, the background: For a long while, my colleagues

and I in the law firm of Dikko and Mahmoud, as I
believe many of us in this hall, have agonised over the
growing chaos, almost approaching the level of crisis of
the state of traffic in Kano. This is compounded by the
almost total absence of decent public transport system
and the growing influx into the city. At various times
we considered and debated about what we could do. In
early January this year, the opportunity thankfully
presented itself. The management of Mambayya House
had tabled at the meeting of the governing council its
proposed programme of activities for 2008. One item
particularly caught my attention. It was tagged „public
lecture for „Yan Achaba’. This was in line with our
thought and we seized the opportunity immediately. In
the discharge of the pleasant obligation to give back
something to our community, I offered on behalf of our
firm, to support the initiative. After further discussion,
it was agreed that what was needed was to have a broad
look at the problem of traffic management and public
transportation generally. The governing board also
decided that the government should be approached
through the State Ministry of Justice to partner in this
initiative. The Hon. Attorney General and His
Excellency Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the Governor of
Kano State were approached and they fully and whole
heartedly supported the idea. After several weeks of
preparation by a steering committee headed by Dr.
Haruna Wakili, the Director of the Centre, we are
finally here today.
The broad issues are captured in a short concept paper.
Some of you may have had the opportunity of reading it
before now. Chaotic traffic is common to most urban
centres in Nigeria. Kano however, in recent past seems
to have more than a fair share of this burden. The
proliferation of motor-cycle taxis in the city is
unmatched by Nigerian town or city. The riders seem to
 22

generally operate above law contributing to serious

accidents, injuring many and contributing to increasing
air and noise pollution. Some of them engage in petty
crimes further compounding the nuisance. The problem
however is not just „Yan Achaba. Our culture of road
use had considerably worsened in recent years. Most
road users don‟t respect traffic rules and regulations.
Indeed many simply don‟t know them. Our streets,
roads, side-walks, highways and the few open spaces
remaining in the city have been taken over by traders,
second hand car dealers, other small businesses,
beggars and hawkers of all sorts of wares ranging from
petrol to cigarettes. The authorities seem to be in a
constant retreat on enforcement issues thereby
broadening the scope of lawlessness. The situation is
simply becoming unbearable.
Kano however has additional burden. It is evidently
lagging behind in initiatives aimed at tackling these
problems. As lawyers, we are particularly worried
about the deeper implications of seeming continued
retreat in law enforcement. Nothing in my view depicts
the dire state of rule of law in Nigeria and in Kano in
particular more than the chaos in roads and streets
where the rule of law has been replaced by the Rule of
ALL. If Kano must restore its glory as the Centre of
Commerce, as a decent city to live and bring up our
children, urgent and decisive steps need to be taken to
restore it as a clean, attractive and efficient city with
modern infrastructure including safe and decent public
transport system.
The structure of the workshop is that after opening
session which includes a keynote presentation by the
Head of Geography Department of Bayero University,
Mal. M.A. Liman, we will then breakout into smaller
groups. Each group will consider in-depth a particular
sub-theme under the guidance of a facilitator and a
 23

presenter(s). Each group will come back with key

issues and recommendations which will then be tabled
at the 2nd and final plenary session for consideration
and adoption. These recommendations should identity
short, medium and long term measures and strategies
that need to be taken to address the problems.
Mr. Chairman, distinguished participants, let me now
quickly attempt to throw up some issues on some of the
thematic areas of the breakout sessions:
Group 1 will be looking at the theme „Road Usage,
Enforcement of Traffic Rules and Regulations,
Licencing and Revenue Generation and the Role of
Federal, State and Local Government Agencies. We
expect this group to look at all aspects of Road usage
and enforcement of rules and regulations. Why are rules
not being enforced? How can these be enhanced? Does
the State need a special Agency with this? How can we
ensure that all vehicle operators, motor-cycles, taxis,
buses etc are properly trained and licenced and how
their responsibilities? Lagos State is battling the Federal
Government to take over the issuance of drivers licence
within the state which it believes will give it greater
control and also allow it to raise its own standards.
Should we look in that direction? Should the Ministry
of Works establish facilitate the establishment of
driving schools in the state? Should motor cycle taxi or
indeed any taxi not registered and licensed with the
Municipal authorities before being allowed to operate?
How best can the municipal authorities collaborate with
the state government and Federal Agencies to enhance
the institutional arrangements for better traffic
management in the metropolis or eve joint investments
in public infrastructure? Should the state enforcement
as means of generating revenues or even use heavy
fines for violations as a means of instilling discipline
and sanitizing the road culture and raising monies to
 24

further invest in traffic management, in road signs and

public transportation? Alhaji Danyaro Yakasai will be
the lead discussant in this group which will be chaired
by Prof. A.H. Yadudu.
Group 2 will be looking at Urban Public Transportation
System, modes of transportation and Modern urban
traffic management strategies and models from other
states. Kano was a pace setter in this as in many other
areas. This group will be looking at the technical issues.
Kano in 1989 had developed its own Mass Transit
Master plan with municipal bus service and even trams
designed to use existing rail tracks in the city planned
for the future. In the late sixties and early seventies I
believe, Kano was perhaps the first city to have metered
taxis and one of the first to have a modern bus service
both municipal and inter state. What happened to these
initiatives? We are lucky to have one of the brains
behind the Abuja mass transit programme, a Kano man,
Mal. Tijjani Abdullahi. He oversaw the establishment
of the Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company and Abuja
Leasing Company.Mal. Tijjani will share his experience
with us.We will perhaps learn from him, the legal,
institutional and financial arrangements used in Abuja.
Several other initiatives are currently underway in Imo
(Clean and Green Initiative), in Lagos in Kaduna and
other cities. The initiative we have seen in Kano so far
is the tricycle (A Daidaita Sahu). These cycles are in
my view neither secure nor safe but more importantly
do not represent the kind of bold initiative that is
needed. The Director General Nigerian Institute of
Transport Technology hopefully should be here to
provide additional technical support and guidance.
Arch Umar Tofa will be the facilitator.
Group 3 will look at the sub-theme Public Health,
Public Safety and Environmental issues and Public
Transportation in Kano. The absence of decent and
 25

safe mode of public transport has resulted in tragic

accidents and is contributing to serious hazards arising
from noise and air pollution. Many of us are either
unaware or simply underrate the health hazards posed
by the polluted environment we are subjected to. The
Nigerian Environmental protection agency, in
collaboration with state agencies is legally expected to
set and enforce amongst other things the minimum
standards for air quality in our cities that is required for
optimal human, animal and plant health. Have these
standards been defined? Are they enforced? Why not?
What is our own state ministry of environment doing to
ensure that these are enforced? Issues around climate
change and global warming have become very topical
recently how do these affect us? Is environmental
degradation in neighbouring states and countries or
even in rural Kano contributing to the influx into our
city? What are the long term implications? What
should be our strategy of dealing with this in short term
and in the long term? Engr. Hussam Musa Karry will
be the lead discussant in this groups under guidance of
one our leading physicians Dr. Musa Borodo.
Group 4 will be looking at urban planning, population
explosion, public space and issues of Public
transportation in urban Kano. A lot has been heard in
recent of Abuja master Plan. Nothing is heard of
master plans in other cities in Nigeria. But Kano had its
own master plan detailed and comprehensive. It was I
believe last revised with the support of the UNDP in the
early or mid seventies. We have had one of the best
organized departments of urban and regional planning
in the North and probably in the whole of Nigeria. For
cities, is there an alternative to long term planning?
Can we address problems of traffic management and
public transportation effectively without proper
planning? In the meantime, what should we do with
traders, the small business, the hawkers etc that have
 26

over all our remaining open public spaces including

walkways, streets, roads, road-divides etc? We have
the managing director of Kano urban planning and
development authority Mal. Hassan Na‟abba to lead the
discussion with Alh. Ibrahim Ado Kurawa as the
facilitator.
Group 5 will be looking at the sub-theme „Attitudinal,
Behavioural, Cultural and Religious issues in public
space and transportation. We have a leading Islamic
scholar, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil to lead the discussion
supported by a facilitator Dr. Khalil Ibrahim Sa‟ad. We
hope this group will take a close look at some of the
more sensitive cultural, religious and behavioural issues
around use of public space and public transportation.
Islam is a religion of space. The rights of the individual
are carefully balance against those of the community.
Yet we have seen how people in furtherance of their
individual pursuits are all too willing to jeopardize our
collective rights. Often our indiscipline as a people is
masked behind religious obligations. Why are we
quick to turn public roads and highways into praying
grounds in total disregard for the needs of other users?
It is practically impossible to travel into or out of Kano
along certain major highways at certain hours on
Fridays as people have turned them into praying
grounds and do so with impunity. What about the sick
people or women in labour who need to be ferried to
hospital. What about fire or other emergency services
or simply other road users on their journeys? The
government as part of campaigns against indiscipline
has erected signs in our streets with solemn prayers.
That‟s fine. But should we not have street names,
roads, signs etc to direct visitors and residents thereby
easing movements on our roads and streets?
Mr. Chairman, the programme seems ambitious for a
one day event. I think what is important is to initiate
 27

the process. Hopefully, it will provide some basis for

future action. Our objective is to identify some of the
issues. We should be able to come up with specific
recommendations on the short, medium and long terms
strategies out of president predicament.
Mr. Chairman, Your Excellencies distinguished
participants. We are all here to contribute to a common
good. We are here because we are concerned. We
want to live in a clean healthy environment we want to
have decent, safe and secure means of moving from one
location to another. We want our city to grow and
develop as envisioned by its ancient founders; the
Muhammadu Rumfas, the Sulaimans, the Dabos, the
Bayeros, and its more recent visionary leaders the Audu
Bakos the Rimis etc. It is our city and our future.
I thank you for your attention.
 28

APPENDIX II: Key Note Address

POLICY DIALOGUE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT

SYSTEM IN KANO: PROBLEMS, CHALLENGES
AND THE WAY FORWARD

Keynote address

By

Muhammad A. Liman
Department of geography,
Bayero University, Kano.

Introduction
It is a primary economic requirement to move things
from one place to another and it is probably for this
reason that inter-urban and intra-urban movement of
people and goods is a necessary feature of any
settlement. However, as the economy of the society
changes so does this need to move things from one
place to another. Thus, while in pre-industrial times
settlements relied on non-motorized transport (NMT),
contemporary settlements rely on motorized transport
which requires facilities (such as road networks,
parking spaces etc).
Whereas transport acts as an elastic band which gives
the settlement some form of flexibility, it also acts as a
bonding medium between the different social units in a
settlement that are spatially located apart. We are, for
instance, here today because there is some amount of
dissatisfaction in the management of the transport
system in Kano. When we dig a little deeper this
translates to growing dissatisfaction between different
strata of the society. Thus, how the different transport
modes (owner-user or commercial) are organized and
 29

the traffic managed determine the social as well as the

spatial organization and, ultimately, the overall growth
of the settlement.
A settlement, therefore, is only as big as its
transportation system and settlements differ in how they
are able to organize their transport service. This can be
used as an index of the development of the settlement.
Thus, the urban settlement can be judged and ranked on
the availability, regularity and effectiveness of the
commercial transport service catering for its inter-urban
as well as intra-urban movements. Using this yardstick
we can evaluate Kano and make suggestions.
The Development of Commercial Transport Service
in Kano Metropolis
Modern transport (i.e. motorized transport) is the baby
of the Industrial Revolution, for settlements in Nigeria
it is the off-shoot of colonial rule. The spatial
development of what became Kano township, and
subsequently Kano metropolis, has led to the
introduction of the bicycle hire which can be considered
as the earliest form of modern commercial transport
service in Kano metropolis. Being an individual mode
of transport, it is doubtful if it contributed much, and
now no longer contributes to intra-urban movement.
However, with the establishment of Kano as a railway
terminus in 1911 and the subsequent relocation of the
railway station from the Dan Agundi area (on the
outskirts of Kano city) to its present location (within the
CBD) the real need for a commercial transport service
in Kano township was probably created. Many migrants
who trooped into Kano needed the service. Thus, like in
Britain, intra-urban transport service started as
complementary to the rail system. The complementary
nature of intra-urban transport was further exhibited
when Kano was linked to the outside world by air and
an international airport was built as a spatial receptacle
 30

of this transport link. A commercial taxi service

between the airport and the township came to life.
The subsequent agitation for self determination in the
colonies at the end of the Second World War led to the
establishment of industries in the colonies, in general,
and Kano in particular. Although a palliative measure,
it started the large-scale criss-cross movements that
characterise an urban settlement, necessary for the
emergence and sustenance of intra-urban commercial
transport service.
For settlements north of Nigeria Kano is the leader in
commercial transport service. The first commercial
passenger bus service started in the 1950s. Whereas the
earlier commercial taxi services established had no
definite routes the commercial passenger bus services
had definite routes - the normal path followed by
commercial buses between two termini, one being the
starting and the other being the destination where the
bus turns round to make a round trip. Many bus routes
start at the same terminus and such a terminus is known
as a transfer terminal. In our case, Bata is a transfer
terminal and so is Yan Kura, Jakara, and Asibiti (see
table 1).
Features of Commercial Bus Service in Kano:
The operation of commercial transport service in Kano
is dominated by the popular (private and informal)
sector of the economy as can be seen in Table 1. More
than 90% of commercial vehicles are therefore owned
mostly by private commercial individuals. Yakamata
Motors is the only private company popularly known to
have participated in the commercial transport service
sector in Kano. Government participates once in a
while, and currently in the name of Kano Line.
 31

Table 1: Commercial Bus Service Routes within

Kano Metropolis (1950 – 1990s)
Sector Period From Bata to From Jakara to From Yan
Kura to
Panshekara Asibiti Mandawari
1951-1960 Tudun Wada Gwauron Dutse
Gwammaja
1961-1970 Asibiti-„Yan Kura Gwammaja
Popular K/Raka- Gwammaja-Kurna Mandawari-
1971-1980 K/hudu Gwale
Kawaji Gwammaja-
Kurna
Rijiyar Lemo
1981-1990 „Yan kaba Asibiti-Zoo Road Mandawari-
S/titi
Asibiti-Tarauni
Badawa
Private Kawo
(Yakamata 1990s Tarauni
Motors) „Yan kaba
Zoo Road
K/Hudu Asibiti BUK
K/Raka Asibiti-Zoo Road Dawanau
Public Mandawari Asibiti-Tarauni Rijiyar Lemo
(Kano 1990s Na‟ibawa
Line) Panshekara
Tudun Wada
„Yan kaba
Key:
* Extension of an existing route originally served by the
popular sector
** New addition but previously served from a different
transfer terminal
+ Newly introduced routes
Source: Adapted from Umar S. (1991), p. 36 & p. 41
 32

Table 2: Commercial Bus Service Routes within

Kano Metropolis
Distance No. of
ROUTES (km) Buses
(Daily)
Asibiti-Gwale 3.5 a 39
Asibiti-Hotoro-Tsamiyar Boka 8.5 a 46
Asibiti-Mariri 12 a 54
Asibiti-Na‟ibawa 82
Asibiti-Panshekara 57
Asibiti-Sharada 4a 37
Bata-Airport area 4a 9
Bata-Badawa 4b 49
Bata-Bela 9a 23
Bata-Brigade 4b 44
Bata-Dakata 5b 49
Bata-Gezawa 69
Bata-Gwale 6a 19
Bata-Gwammaja-Kurna 6a 39
Bata-Jakara 5b 29
Bata-Kawo-Giginyu 4b 39
Bata-Kwanan Jaba 4.5 a 49
Bata-Kwanar Madobi-Yako 9
Bata-Mandawari-Sabon titi 6b 68
Bata-Mariri 69
Bata-Na‟ibawa 11 b 69
Bata-Panshekara 19 b 59
Bata-Sharada 7b 39
Bata-Tsamiyar Barde 4a 49
Bata-Yan Kaba 6b 59
Bata-Zoo Road-Sheka 9a 58
Jakara-Kwanar Madobi-Yako 6
Jakara-Panshekara 43
Jakara-Sabon Tasha 17
Yan kura-Bachirawa 94
Yan kura-Dawanau 19 a 67
 33

DistanceNo. of
ROUTES (km) Buses
(Daily)
Yan kura-Gwammaja-Kurna 6b 174
Yan kura-Janguza 18 b 74
a
Yan kura-Kabuga 7.5 172
a
Yan kura-Kurna 6.5 166
Yan kura-Rijiyar Lemo 133
Yan kura-Sabon Tasha 138
Sources: a = Fieldwork, 1998 b = Dambazau, (1998),
p. 29
About 2,300 organised commercial buses service Kano
daily. The operation of commercial transport service is
coordinated by agents known as “‟yan kamasho” which
has evolved into National Union of Road Transport
Workers (NURTW). It has been largely responsible for
whatever semblance of order there is in the general
conduct of affairs relating to commercial transport
service. NURTW dictates the hours of operation,
method of operation, and pricing. Although availability
of passengers and good roads play a role in determining
routes the NURTW has the final say. It acts as an
arbiter between the stakeholders - the passengers, the
drivers, and the owners.
According to Obimah (1995) commercial transport
available between 6.00 a.m. and 11.00 p.m with about
52% of the buses making between 6 – 10 round trips;
some make up to 20 round trips. In addition, she found
out that a journey of 4 km (Bata – Brigade route) takes
between 20 and 50 minutes. This is most probably
because about 50% of the buses do between 9 to 12
stops on each trip; some make up to 28 stops on a trip.
Also, there were nearly 20 regular and 7 occasional stop
points mainly decided by passengers‟ request and bus
conductors‟ judgment. Thus commercial bus service in
Kano operates for about 15 hours daily. It operates wait
 34

and load system at terminals and pick-and-drop

anywhere system in between the terminals. Nonetheless
commercial bus service in Kano is suffering from
declining patronage for a number of reasons.
Transport & Transport Service Problems in Kano:
Some of the infrastructure related problems include bus
stops, parking spaces etc. In addition, lack of bus
terminals, particularly at the transfer terminals,
constitutes a real problem. As a town planning principle
roads should not be activity centers but should lead to
activity centers. In Kano roads have been turned into
activity centers rather than leading to activity centers.
Thus, roadsides and streets serve as shops for wares and
as parking spaces etc.
Probably the most significant transport service
management related problem revolves around the
failure to realize that contemporary transport is a
product of industrialism and must be run based on the
six principles of industrialism-standardization;
specialization; concentration; centralization;
synchronization; maximization. Some of the traffic
management related problems we face, for instance, are
not problems especially in comparison with any
advanced country. For instance, I once heard Andrew
Young (1999?) making the point (on NTA interview)
that Nigerians going to the U.S. should choose to land
in Atlanta which receives about 2,500 flights daily
rather than New York which receives a lot more. In
another example, Adams, (1981: 48) says “the amazing
congestion of Lagos was being created by a number of
cars that would cause scarcely a ripple if added to the
traffic of one of Los Angeles‟ major freeways”.
User behaviour related problems are the more
noticeable especially where the average road user is a
bully, knows very little traffic regulations that he can be
called ignorant and disrespectful of the little he knows.
 35

In addition, virtually only a very small percentage of

the road users have training (driving lessons) before
getting on the road. Above all, nearly all road users,
particularly in Kano, are impatient.
Road users have no visible legal protection that they
can cling to or that can deter a prospective bad user.
Thus, road users have no guaranteed protection from
other road users and transport service consumers are not
protected in any way. On this note many people seem to
believe that the laws are there while not being enforced.
In other words much of our transport problems arise
from lack of political will.
Which Way Forward?
Realistically, tackling transport and transport service
problems in Kano should be done in phases. In the short
term Government must muster the political will to take
the bull by the horns. One of the things it has to do is to
reclaim the streets and preserve it for transportation
only. In addition it has to mark out the street furniture,
manage the traffic, and especially prosecute traffic
offenders. This ought to bring sanity on to our roads, at
least in the short run.
In the medium term Government must muster the
political will to provide bus terminals (at least in Bata
and „Yan Kura), bus stops and parking spaces, with
scheduled service. This should be done as a first step
toward organizing transport service as an industrial
business. It must also ensure legal protection to road
users and transport service consumers.
Assuming all these are acceptable one thing is that
Kano will not remain static and, as a matter of fact,
once the short- and medium-term strategies succeed
Kano will develop more and new problems will
emerge. Government must therefore muster the political
will to provide a Mass Transit System that will end in a
Park-and-ride zone and declare a Public Transport zone.
 36

Finally, in this era it is impossible to organize transport

without information technology (IT). IT has many uses
especially in Kano but I would recommend its use in
traffic management, for a start, for a number of reasons.
I am sure many more recommendations will emerge as
we break into different groups of concern.

Thank you for listening.

 37

Appendix III: Group Presentation

Group I

POLICY DIALOGUE ON TRAFFIC

MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEM IN KANO.

ORGANISED BY:

CENTRE FOR DEMOCRATIC RESEARCH AND

TRAINING, MAMBAYYA HOUSE

IN COLLABORATION WITH
THE KANO STATE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

SUPPORTED BY:

THE LAW FIRM OF DIKKO AND MAHMOUD,

KANO

Topic/Sub Theme: Read Usage, Enforcement of Traffic

Rules and Regulation, Licensing and Revenue
Generation and the Role of Federal, State and Local
Government Agencies.

Lead Discussant: Alhaji Danyaro Ali Yakasai

Facilitator: Mal. Muzzammil Sani Hanga
Rapporteur: Ibrahim Aliyu El-Yakub
Venue: Room I
1. Alh. Abdullahi Sarki Nanurawa Kano
2. Muzzammil Sani Hanga
3. Abdulrazak Isma‟ila Bagwai
4. Danyaro Ali Yakasai
5. Sayyadi Muh‟d Yola - Wakilin Arewa
6. Usman Abdullahi - Fagge
7. Umar Sambo - Hudaibiyya Foundation,
Kano
 38

8. Abdullahi Galadi -
9. Yusuf Garba
10. Musa Ibrahim Khaleel
11. Hauwa Usman A.
12. Adamu Isma‟ila Garki
13. Tijjani Muhammad Sharief
14. Ibrahim Hamisu - BUK, Kano
15. Jamaluddeen Balarabe - Youth Council of
Nigeria
16. Sulaiman A. Isah - O/C MID
17. Nura Muhd Fagge - Ministry of Justice
18. Ya‟u Aliyu Adamu - Ministry of Justice
19. Aminu D. Ahmed (DSC) - NSCDC,Kano
Command
20. Adegboke Iwale - FRSC RS 12, Kano
21. Sadi Abdullahi Maikusa - Business man
22. Dr. Sani Garba Diso - Rd. Traffic Dept.
Kano
23. Rabi Ibrahim Waya - Ministry of Justice
24. Hanif S. Yusuf - Dikko & Mahmoud
Solicitor, Kano
25. Peter Friday - Dikko & Mahmoud
Solicitor, Kano
26. Adamu Habibu Tukuntawa - Acomoran
27. Abdulkarim Yusuf - Acomoran
28. Alh. Bako Umar - M.U.R.T.W
29. Yahuza Ahmed - Min. of Justice,
Kano
30. Juwairiyya Badamasuiy - Faculty of Law,
BUK

The Facilitator opened the session and stated that we

are expected in this working session to proffer solutions
to the problems that were highlighted during the
opening plenary session; and the role to be played by
the various agencies involved in relation to the sub
theme in order to impact a positive change in the sector
under discussion.
 39

In the course of discussion the following observations

were made:-
i. That the traffic situation in Kano is in a chaotic
state;
ii. That the problem above is as a result of non-
observance of traffic rules and regulations by road
users;
iii. That some of the traffic regulations are under the
concurrent list of the constitution which has its
advantages and the same time creates the friction
between the Federal and the States Government;
iv. Lack of political will on the part of the government
to enforce traffic rules and regulations in order to
bring about positive change in attitude in roads
users;
v. That majority of the problems are caused by
commercial road users, more especially commercial
motor cycles operators disregard for traffic rules
which bring about the rising incidents of accidents
on our roads;
vi. That commercial motor cycle operators [Achaba]
was borne out of unemployment as the operators are
mostly teenagers and middle aged men who do not
have any means of subsistence and worsened by
bans in other states which pushed them straight into
Kano.
vii. Near or total absence of comfortable and decent
means of public transport and influx of people into
the state contributes the chaotic nature of our roads;
viii Petty road side trading is another factor responsible
for chaos on our roads;
ix. Lack of vita equipment [e.g. Towing van on the part
of agencies responsible for maintenance of law and
order on our roads;
x. Motor cycle gifts by politicians to their supporters is
another factor responsible for the continuing decay
 40

in non observance of traffic rules and regulations;

and
xi. Segregation on traffic offenders by law enforcers;
It was observed that the laws and facilities of
prosecution in courts are in place but the problem lies in
the enforcement of such rules which rely often on other
personnel in order to be enforced (e.g. Police, FRSC).
The session recognized that it is imperative to examine
the problems existing in the agencies with enforcement
of traffic rules and regulations in order to understand
what makes them to under achieve.
It was further observed that controlling all forms of
road abuses requires joint effort of Federal and State
Agencies; and issues of security to be left with the
police entire.
The session finally came up with the following
recommendations as solutions to the problems earlier
highlighted:
i. That the Government should muster the political
will to see that traffic rules and regulations are
enforced to the latter;
ii. The government should inject more funds into
public transport system in order to make it decent
and comfortable for users;
iii. Inject money into public media enlightenment
campaign for road users, most especially
commercial users;
iv. That the government should employ religious
exhortations in public enlightenment in road users
to impact a positive change in attitude;
v. Government should create ample parking
lot/spaces round all public facilities.
 41

vi. Government should relocate major markets like

Kwari and Singer to the outskirt of the metropolis;
vii. Government should employ more personnel
working in all traffic control agencies in order to
serve the teeming population;
viii. Government should re-devise road stops at
appropriate intervals thereby creating proper stop
terminals;
ix. Government should decongest and reclaim our
roads from petty traders;
x. Government should give protection to road users
and all enforcement agencies from the elite who
believe they are above the law;
xi. Politicians should devise other things to give out
as gifts and not motor cycles any more;
xii. Government should inaugurate a joint tasks force
of all the Agencies and give them a clear target to
be complimented by the services of mobile courts;
xiii. Prosecution of traffic offenders through the use of
such mobile courts;
xiv. All roads users to be seen to be subject to uniform
regulation;
xv. Government should regulate use of 100cc
motorcycles to 50cc in order to reduce the
incidents of accidents; and
xvi. Government should introduce routine checks every
6 months to ensure road worthiness of such
motorcycle.
 42

POLICY DIALOGUE ON TRAFFIC

MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEM IN KANO STATE

Group 2 Working Session

Group II: Urban Public Transportation System,

Modes of Transport and Modern Urban and Models
From Other State and Countries

Lead Discussants: 1. Director-General, NITT Zaria

2. Alh. Tijjani Mohammed Abdullahi

Facilitator: Arc. Umar Tofa

Participants: Twenty-four (24)
Rapporteur : Abubakar Aminu Ahmad

Introduction
The session commenced with introducory remarks by
the facilitator. Afterwards, each of the twenty-four
participants introduced himself (copy of the attendance
list attached)

The Director-General NITT, Zaria was represented by

Mr. Femi Jemirin. The facilitator asked Tijjani
Mohammed Abdullahi to first make his presentation.
Alh. Tijjani Abdullahi oversaw the establishment of the
Abuja Mass Transit Company and Abuja leasing
company. He therefore shared Abuja‟s experience with
the participants. He discussed extensively on the
institutional and financial arrangement used in Abuja.
The representative of the Director-General NITT,
discussed on modes of transport particularly road and
rail transport and how condusive atmosphere for their
operations are provided in some states and countries.
 43

Observations, Challenges and Recommendations

Observations
1. Abuja and Lagos Public road transport systems are
working favourably;
2. Abuja model is working well because the
authorities ensure compliance with the city master
plan and control public space usage;
3. Kano State used to have efficient public
transportation system for intra and inter states
movement;
4. Abuja and Lagos State models may be adopted in
Kano State subject to some modifications
particularly as Lagos share some features with
Kano;
5. The authorities concerned in Kano fail in ensuring
compliance with town planning regulations and
control of use of public space;
6. The authorities concerned in Kano State have
arrangements for efficient public transport in the
state but the public is not aware;
7. There is little or no involvement of the public by
the authorities concerned in Kano in issues
concerning with town planning and public
transport;
8. If decent and efficient public transport system is
put in place, unsafe and indecent means of public
transport run mostly on individual‟s basis will give
way;
9. Kano is ripe for rail transport system; and
10. Donations of motorcycles by the political class
compound the problem of chaotic traffic in Kano;
 44

Challenges
1. Kano used to have efficient public transport
system. What went wrong?
2. There is the urgent need of moving away from the
existing system of public transport in Kano to a
more viable alternative.
3. There is the urgent need of the enforcement of the
town planning regulations and control of the use of
public space in Kano.
Recommendations
1. Mass transit system is needed in Kano as against
the present system run mostly on individual basis;
2. Investment by private entrepreneurs is required for
the establishment and sustenance of an efficient
mass transit transport system in Kano;
3. Various modes of transport should be explored in
designing a system for Kano;
4. As a short-term measure for controlling the present
chaotic situation, streets in urban Kano should be
cleared of traders and beggars;
5. As a short-term measure, some roads in urban
Kano should be made one-way; and
6. Contributions from the public should be invited by
the concerned authorities in town planning and
public transport system issues.
 45

GROUP 2 ATTENDANCE LIST

S/no Name Address
1. Tijjani M. Abdullahi Finder Consultant, Abuja
FCT
2. Muhammad Sani Inuwar Jama‟ar Kano
Zango
3. Engr. I.K. Inuwa, OFR Technokonsult
4. Engr. M.M. Dansarki Director Transport
MOWH&T
5. Alkaseem Ahamad Lecturer (KSP)
Trader
6. Engr. O.A.U. Uche Civil Dept, BUK Rep NSE,
Chairman
7. Engr. H.M. Alhassan, Civil Engineering Dept,
BUK
8. TDL: Muhammad KNUPDA
Yahaya Kilishi
9. Sgn Ldr A. T. Inuwa Rep Director of Security,
(Rtd) BUK
10. Abubakar Aminu Dikko & Mahmoud
Ahmad (Solicitors)
11. Y.Z. Yau CITAD, Kano
12. Faruk Sani Fleet Maintenance
Manager, NNF Mills
13. Garba Badamasi Prime Urban Properties,
Abuja
14. Sa‟idu Ahmad Dukawa DG, Hisbah Board, Kano
15. A.B, Mahmoud Dikko & Mahmoud
16. A.G. Abdullahi 1&2 Beirut Road
17. S.B. Namallam Min. of Justice, Kano
18. Abdullahi Sulaiman FCE Kano, Kano
Ahmad
19. Jamil Shehu Shayi FCE, Kano
20. Abubakar Ismail MSSN Kano
Sulaiman
21. Femi Jemirin Rep. DG/CE NITT, Zaria
22. Arc Umar O. Tofa Building Projects
Consultants
23. Bala A. Muhammad DG A Daidaita Sahu
24. Mal. M.A. Liman Geography Dept. BUK
 46

Group III: Public Health, Public Safety and

Environmental Issues
in Public Transport

SANITATION OF THE PHYSICAL

ENVIRONMENT
Problems
1. Roads/Pedestrians Congestions
2. Traffic Congestions
3. Market Congestions
4. Odour/Smells
5. Over Crowding
6. Accidents
Reasons for the Above
a. Illegal erecting of temporary zinc structures on
roads.
b. Illegal erecting of temporary kiosk along the roads
& on pavements.
c. Hawking on road & on pavements
d. Parking of vehicles on roads
e. Urinating & defecating inside public drainages
f. Dumping of wastes inside public drainages by
hawkers.
g. Hawking of goods in between stalls & paths in
markets

Place Where Those Problems Occur

Mostly in urban city and in major markets
particularly Muhammad Abubakar Rimi Markets & its
surroundings, Kwari market and its surroundings,
Murtala Mohammed Hospital, Rimi Markets and its
surroundings, Kurna-Rijiyar Lemo, Kabuga Gwarzo
Road, Kofar Nassarawa - Emirs Palace, Tarauni-
Hotoro, Ado Bayero Road/Singer, Mandawari, Jakara,
Dorayi, Zoo Road, Gyadi-Gyadi, Unguwa Uku motor
 47

park to Yan Lemo, those major markets from Wudil up

to Kachako.

Recommendations
1. Government should create about 10 markets within
the metropolis to decongest the major markets and
to impose sanction on street hawking;
2. Government should create more bus stops/parking
areas for commercial vehicles and private in
market surroundings;
3. Government should impose proper utilizations of
the parking areas in the existing markets;
4. Government should hastens the relocation of
Singer Market far from the metropolis;
5. Government should relocate the woods/furniture‟s
section of France (Abuja) Road, Sabon Gari
Market;
6. Government should demolish all illegally erected
temporary structures and kiosks on roads
reservations, pavements, and path and market
surroundings;
7. Government should stop any further parking
vehicles on roads & on pavement or paths;
8. Government should remove bills boards and
evacuate the refuse on over head bridges along
Murtala Muhammad Way, Hausa/Ibo Road,
Yankura & Murtala Muhammad Hospital, because
they gave cover to people urinating, defecating &
dumped wastes that becomes in accessible for
people to make use of them;
9. All road side mechanics & welding workshop
occupying pavements on major roads/streets to be
relocated to a mechanic layout to be created by
government like those at Kwakwachi, Dawanau,
 48

Maikalwa Zaria Road. This is the practice in all

big cities, Ato village as example in Abuja and
also in Ilorin, Port Harcourt, Imo, Aba just to
mention few;
10. Government should encourage & support any
person with good intention to establish public
conveniences;
11. Government to relocate Yankura AGIP Filling
Station now OANDO to convert the place for
commercial vehicles, taxis and buses for
loading/uploading passengers, to enable them stop
parking on the major road, as well as Total Filling
Station opposite Sabon Gari Market by Singer.
This place is to be utilize by vehicles loading
goods such as Canters and Akori Kuras, so that
they vacate the main roads, I believe by so doing
the government will generate more revenue to
compliment its spending in the relocating the two
(2) filling stations; and
12. Government should stop any further occupying of
roads and on movement for hawking and spread of
goods.
Advantages of the Above Recommendations
a. Decongest the surrounding of our major markets
b. Ease pedestrians‟ hardships.
c. Reduce the spread of communicable diseases.
d. Reduce the sufferings of vehicles owners in traffic
congestions.
e. Get market nearer to the public for easy shopping.
f. Remove fear from the mind of customers of theft,
damages of vehicles due to parking along the major
highways in markets.
g. Improve the appearance of our roads markets & its
environment.
h. Create more jobs opportunity.
i. Ensuring securing of more ventilation in market.
 49

j. Improving the economy.

k. Safety of the pedestrians.
l. Prevention of accidents.
m. Prevention of fire outbreaks.
n. Ensuring clean and tidy environment.
 50

POLICY DIALOGUE ON TRAFFIC

MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEM IN KANO

Sub-Theme: (Group 4) Urban Planning, Population

Explosion, Public Space and Issues of Public
Transportation in Urban Kano
Date: Saturday May 24, 2008
In Attendance
S/ Name Address Phone No.
N
1. Engr. M.H. Bichi BUK 08036353001
(Facilitator)
2. Arc. M. Aminu Kani 08037077506
(Lead discussant)
3. Dayyabu Zubairu Gano KNUPDA 08035899760
4. M.B. Danazumi, Esq, Min. of 08023627712
(rapporteur) Justice, Kano
5. Abubakar Sadiq Sani Nig. Inst. of 08033433165
Town
Planners
6. Arc. Sani Ali BUK 0803740642
7. Sani Hamza Bichi Min. of 0807406112
Budget &
Planning
8. Zakariya‟u Ado SSG‟s 08036999245
Office, Kano
9. Musa Tanko Garko SSG‟s Office
Kano
10. Yahaya Ado Umar CAS, Kano 08062347270
11. Zainab M.S. Minjibir Min. of 08023757994
Higher Educ.
12. Gidado Mukhtar KAPEDI 08037873699
13. Sunusi Yakubu Ahmad C.A.S./MHE 08039433241
14. Garba Abdu Gaya MOWH&T 08023930059
15. Badayi M. Kurawa BUK 08023083132
(Afribank)
16. Dr. Suleman Yusuf Mudi Dept. of 08037012978
Chem. BUK
17. Habibu I. Yakasai MANR 08023528845

Commencement: 12:55 Noon.

 51

Lead Discussants: Arc. M. Aminu. Kani & D.Z. Gano

Rapporteur: M. B. Dan‟azumi
A: KEY ISSUES (refer to themes)
The Discussant starts by giving a brief history and the
significance of planning, development control, and
regulations dealing with the urbanization of towns,
Kano inclusive. The various laws, acts and related
decrees address several issues ranging from urban
planning, development boards and the planning
authorities.
That is also a fact undisputed, that there has always
been planning authority with basically the same
function as those currently addressed by KNUPDA
today.
It follows therefore that the Government has always
been conscious in terms of legislation despite the fact
that implementation has always been the problem.
The laws provided for sanctions, trouble etc to handle
the issues relating to default and non-compliance with
the laws governing town planning.

B: Challenges / Problems Identified

 Last master plan was made to cover the period
between 1963 and 1983 and has long been
overtaken by events, hence the need to re-define
the concept of structural development, and revamp
the dwindling structures; green parks etc.
 The planning guidelines and provisos have not
been strictly followed thereby worsening the
whole situation and causing an undue economic
expense to the state.
 52

 Our cultural attitude relating to undue favouritism

which causes a serious negative consequence to
the society in general.
 The need for men with sterner will power and
goodwill to handle the disorderliness.
 The work force of KNUPDA cannot cover 1/3 of
the metropolitant Kano not to mention other 36
urban centres.
 Enforcement of laid down rules and proper
compliance appears grossly inadequate so also are
the related sanctions. The laws also appear to have
outlived their effectiveness due to several decades
of non-review of the laws as penalties in some
instances are as low as N20 (Twenty Naira).
 Problem of gross under-staffing of various
agencies saddled with enforcement and control
which is proportionate with the growing
population of Kano.
 The sudden surge of various forms of
transportation not taken in contemplation by the
town planners of infra-structural facilities.
 There is also no workable master plan that is all
encompassing, thereby forming a network of well
co-ordinated plans ranging from health or sanitary
to transport issues.
 Lack of demarcating line between an individual or
group interest and that of the generally of the
public, placing of the public interest below self.
 Lack of proper co-ordination between similar
sector and interrelated stake holders, everything
seem to be in constant disarray.
 53

 Poverty and indolence in both mundane and

spiritual issues. Greed in acquisition of any
available space, wealth etc.
 Those at the helm of affairs seem never willing to
wake up from their seemingly endless
administrative slumber
 Individuals feel detached and separate from the
community and do not seem to take any
responsibility.
C: Recomemndations
a. Short Term
i. Capacity building: adequate skilled manpower in
manning the agencies responsible.
ii. Sensitization/re-orientation of people and the need
to be aware of collective responsibilities and the
discharge of civil duties
b. Medium
i. Urban renewal programme: the need to harness
resources in line with modern trends of
development.
c. Long Term
i. The need to revisit the contents of 1963 – 1983
master plan, update and implement same.
ii. The need to implement and maintain the mass
transit system so as to curb the ugly trend of
„achaba‟ and its disastrous consequences.
iii. The need for the state to strictly implement the
provisions of the Kano State road traffic
regulations. The operational hours and locations
shall be defined and regulated.
 54

On Population Control And Explosion

i. The need to curtail indiscriminate immigration into
Kano and the need to integrate the traditional
institution to monitor same so as to avert the
calamitous recurrence of „Maitatsine „catastrophe,
and of recent the „Panshekara‟ crises.
ii. There is also need to incorporate the traditional
administration into land administration to
synergize and harmonize all resources, towards
effective control at the grassroots level of the
society.
iii. The need for the government to be up and doing in
asserting its authority in reclaiming its encroached
lands (Pedestrian walks, leisure spaces, green parts
etc).
iv. The need to integrate members of the public into
community policing projects so as to make more
individuals stake holders.
 55

POLICY DIALOGUE ON TRAFFIC

MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEM IN KANO STATE
Rukuni na 5
Topic: Attitudinal, Behavioural, Cultural and
Religious Issues to Public Space and
Transport.
Lead Discussant :Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil
Facilitator :Dr. Halil Ibrahim Sa’id
Rapporteur :Murtala A. Ringim
Venue :Group 5 Room 6

Sufuri tare da hanya suna da muhimmanci a cikin

addini da al‟ada, amma ba a la‟akari da doka wajen
amfani da su. Matsalolin da ke faruwa wajen amfani da
titi/hanya sun kasu kashi uku. Kuma dukkansu na
faruwa saboda rashin abu guda xaya, watau, rashin bin
doka. Na farko yin amfani da abin hawa na haya ko
kuma na kai ta hanyar da aka ga dama. Mafi yawan
waxanda abin ya shafa yara ne waxanda ba su san doka
ba ballantana a bita. Kuma da yawa daga ciki „yan
siyasa ne suka saya musu ko kuma suka tsaya musu.
Kashi na biyu kuma su ne manyan mutane na qasa
waxanda ba sa bayar da gudunmawa wajen kare doka.
Waxannan sun haxa har da manyan jami‟an gwamnati
da sarakai da masu kuxi. Irin waxannan shugabanni ba
sa sukan varna ko yabon nagarta a lokacin da aka
aikata. Na uku kuma rashin kishin qasa a zukatan
jama‟a. Babu wani mutum da ke tunanin qasa ko jama‟a
na da qima a wajensa. Rashin doka ya sanya an karya
mana son qasarmu, ana aibata ko wulaqanta qasa wajen
hira ko kuma a kan hanya.
 56

Kalubale
Saboda rashin bin doka wajen amfani da hanya ko
sufuri a cikin Birnin Kano, a yau an wayi gari ana
fuskantar matsaloli masu yawan gaske kamar haka:
 Na farko kasa kayan sayarwa tare da yin talla ko
kafa kasuwa a kan hanya barkatai a kan kowane
babban titi da ke cikin Birnin Kano.
 Gine-ginen xakunan ibada da gabatar da salla da
shirya bikin maulid ko xaurin aure tare da ajiyar
abin hawa a kan hanya ba tare da la‟akari da haqqin
jama‟a ba.
 Zubar da shara ko kwatami a kan titina ko hanyoyi
barkatai da nufin wai tilas hukuma ta kwashe ba
tare da la‟akari da hakan na kawo cikas ga jama‟a
ba.
 Rashin bin doka ya sanya an bar jama‟a na amfani
da tsofaffin motoci da babura waxanda suke da
haxari mai yawa ga lafiyar jama‟a da yanayi.
 Rushe ma‟aikatar sufuri ta Jihar Kano ya jawo qara
tavarvarewar al‟amuran sufuri a jihar Kano.
 Ko da yake an hana „yan Achava xaukar mata
wanda yake abu ne mai kyau cikin addini da al‟ada,
to amma an bar mata na zama cikin motocin haya
(tasi da bas-bas) na zaman wake da shinkafa ko
masara.
Maganin Matsalolin da Aka Ambata a Sama
1. Faxakarwa mai zurfi daga malaman addini da
shugabanni ga jama‟a musamamn matasa.
2. Kafa makarantun koya dokokin amfani da hanya
domin koya wa matasa amfani da titi a kan tafarkin
dokar bin hanya.
3. Quduri mai qarfi (Political will) daga hukumomin
da abin ya shafa domin a tsayar da doka da ya
 57

kamata wajen amfani da hanya a cikin birni da

kewaye.
4. Samar da tsararren tsari na sufuri a jihar Kano
(Transport policy).
5. A qara kula tare da tsara hanyoyin sufuri tare da
samar da layuka na shiga da na fita daban-daban a
cikin Birnin Kano.
6. Gabatar da hukunci a nan take ga duk wanda aka
samu da laifin sava dokar hanya. Kuma a qarfafa
kotunan tafi-da-gidanka domin yin hukunci a nan
take. A qarfafa „yan sanda da jami‟an hanya da
kayan sadarwa na zamani, domin tabbatar da doka a
kan hanyoyin cikin birni da waje.
7. Hukuma ta tashi duk masu kasa kaya a kan hanyar
da ba kasuwa ta nufa ba. Kuma a karve duk filin da
aka yi ginin gidan mai a kan hanya.
8. Kara samar da abin hawa masu inganci da yalwa ga
mata tare da tabbatar da cewa direbobi masu halin a
daidaita sahu na jan su a cikin Birni da Kewaye.
9. A qididdige abubuwan hawa na „yan Achava a
kuma yi wa „yan Achava na kowace qaramar
hukuma da ke cikin birni da kewaye lambar shaida
tare da rigar aiki mai launi daban da ta sauran
qananan hukumomi.
10. Shugabannin jama‟a da sauran manyan mutane su
fara nuna misali mai xorewa wajen amfani da
hanyar sufuri domin koya wa na baya tare da
matasa hali na gari.
11. Allah ya yi wa Birnin Kano albarka mai yawa,
jama‟a daga ko‟ina na zuwa domin zama ko
kasuwanci. Ana kiran gwamnati da ta yi la‟akari da
haka tare da samar da sababbin tsararrun wuraren
zama masu inganci.
 58

12. A gane cewar bin doka bai tsaya ga masu tuqin

sufuri ba; wajibi ne doka ta hau kan duka mai
amfani da hanyoyin sufuri, musamman „yan kura da
masu sayar da ruwa ko hawan keke.
13. Kuma a wadatar da hanyoyin sufuri da alamomin
amfani da hanya a bisa doka a duk inda ya kamata.
Kuma „yan sanda da sauran jami‟an hanya su
tabbatar da bin doka tare da hana duk abin hawan da
ya lalace ko kuma ya tsufa yawan amfani ko hawa
kan hanyoyin sufuri.
 59

APPENDIX IV : Attendance List

S/No Name Full Address
1. Dr. M.M. Borodo Department of Medicine
BUK, AKTH, Kano
2. Habibu I. Yakasai Sharada Quarters, Kano
3. Engr Musa M. Dansarki Director, Ministry of
Transport
4. Sqr Ldr A.T. Inuwa (Rt) Rep. of Director Security,
BUK
5. Musa Ibrahim Khaleel No. 23 Tukuntawa Qtrs,
Kano
6. Arc. Umar O. Tofa S. 268 Daurawa, Maiduguri
Road, Kano
7. Faruk Sani Northern N igeria Flour
Mills Plc, kano
8. Ya‟u A. Adamu Ministry of Justice, Kano
9. Nura Muhd Fagge Ministry of Justice, Kano
10. Muhammad Nura Kano State House of
Assembly
11. Yahuza Ahmad Ministry of Justice, Kano
12. Dr. Abubakar Sadiq Sani Nigerian Institute of Town
Planners
13. A.I. Tanko Dept of Geography, Bayero
University, Kano
14. Sayyadi Mohd Yola Dala L.G.
15. Musa Tanko Garko Cabinet Office
16. Engr. Hassan Musa Karry REMASAB
17. Muzammil Sani Hanga HISBAH BOARD
18. Dr. Khalil I. Said Retired
19. Comr. Musa Yahya NATA, Kano Chapter
20. Farida Rabi‟u Danbappa Ministry of Justice, Kano
21. Binta Balarabe Wudil Ministry of Justice, Kano
22. Alh. Abdullahi Din Sarkin Baburawan Kano
23. Zainab M.S. Minjibir Ministry for High Education,
Kano
24. Tijjani Ibrahim Danfari F.C.E. Kano
25. Umar Makinta BUK
26. Abdulrashid Kabiru S.K.P. Kano
27. Rabi Ibrahim Waya Ministry of Justice, Kano
28. Sunusi Yakubu A. C.A.S
29. Engr. M. H. Bichi BUK
30. A.B. Mahmoud Dikko & Mahmoud
31. Dr. Sani Garba Diso Director, Road Traffic
 60

32. Abdullahi S. Ahmad Dept. of Geography, FCE

33. Zahraddeen A.M. Kano State House of
Assembly
34. Ibrahim Danpullo Ministry of Justice, Kano
35. Abdulrazak Ismaila B. Dikko & Mahmoud
36. Sulaiman A. Isa MTD Kano
37. John Ogbu MTD Kano
38. Dr. Suleiman Sani HMB Kano
39. Ibrahim G. Satatima COEASU, FCE Kano
40. Zakariya‟u Ado SSG‟s Office, Kano
41. Usman A. Fagge B.I. Rev. Kano
42. Dr. Sulaiman Y. Mudi Dept of Chemistry BUK
43. Badayi M. Kurawa AFRIBANK, BUK
44. Muhd Sani I.J.K.
45. Yusuf Garba FRSC, Kano
46. Abdullahi Galadi FRSC, Kano
47. Garba Abdu FRSC, Kano
48. Adegoke S.A FRSC, Kano
49. Bala Abdullahi COBTAK, Kano
50. Garba Abdu Gaya MOW & Transport Dept
51. Alh. Bako Umar NURTW Kano
52. Sarkin Tsabtar Kano Kano Emirate Council
53. Dr. Yusuf Adamu Geography Dept. BUK
54. Sa‟idu A. Dukawa HISBAH Board
55. Mansur Muhammad Sustainable Kano Project
56. Mrs Rota Aletos MAN Kano Branch
57. Abubakar Mahmud State H/Q Bompai CIB Kano
58. Tijjani Mohd. Sharif Sustainable Kano Project
(SKP)
59. Hamisu Usman Hudaibiyya Foundation,
Kano
60. Hamza A. Sulaiman Dept. of Islamic Studies BUK
61. Juwairiyya Badamasi Faculty of Law, BUK
62. Ogbaji Daniel Ikpel APINETS Nig. Ltd, BUK
Road, Kano
63. Bar. Tayyib Muktar Muslim Lawyers
64. Danyaro Yakasai No. 7A Zaria Road, Kano
65. Umar D. Sambo Hudaibiyya Foundation,
Kano
66. Rabiu I. Ibrahim MAI SAEEDA NIG. LTD.
67. Garba Badamasi Prime Urban Pr.
68. Arc. M. Aminu Kani 2, Hamza Abdullahi Rd.
69. Engr. O.A.K. Uche Rep. NSE Chairman, Civil
 61

Engineering BUK
70. S.B. Namallan Min. of Justice, Kano
71. Aminu D. Ahmad NSCDC Kano Command
72. Adamu Habibu ACOMORAN, Kano
Tukuntawa
73. Ali S. Madugu MAN, Kano
74. Saleh Abubakar MAN, Kano
Muhammad
75. Yusif Adamu MAN, Kano
76. Jameel Balarabe Directorate of Youth
Development
77. Mukhtar Usman Maidu Kano State Hisbah Board
78. Farouq M. Hassan Rep. of Deputy Governor
79. Muhd Yarima Shellang C/o Ali Faruk Hassan
80. Yahaya Ado Umar C.A.S. Kano
81. Engr. I.K. Inuwa Techn.
82. Ado Suleiman Civil Defence
83. A.G. Abdullahi No. 1 Beirut Road, Kano
84. Inuwa Y. K/Mata NLC, Kano
85. Arc. Sani Ali B.U.K
86. Adamu Ismail Garki Freedom Radio
87. Sani Hamza Bichi Min. of Budget and Planning
88. Justice P. Mahmoud High Court, Kano
89. Gidado Mukhtar KAPEDI
90. Abdulkarim Yusuf Secretary Gen. ACOMORAN
91. Y.Z. Ya‟u CITAD
92. Tijjani M. Abdullahi Private Consultant
93. Arc. Haruna Yahaya Sustainable Kano Project
94. Muhd Sani Abdullahi Advocate for Environmental
Sustainability
95. Abubakar Ismail S. No. 11 Sheshe Quarters,
Kano
96. H. M. Alhassan BUK
97. N.M. Habibu BUK
98. Bala A. Muhammad D.G. A Daidaita Sahu
99. M. Bashir Bala BUK
100. Alh. Surajo Ibrahim NTA, Kano
101. Kabir Saidu Funtua Daily Trust
102. Buhari Adamu Fagge, Kano
103. Zubairu Shehu
104. Muhammad Yahaya K. KNUPDA (KASEPPA)
105. Femi Jemirin Rep. DG/CE NITT, Zaria
106. M.M. Mahboub Law Reform Commission

107. Malam Ibrahim Khalil
108. Mustapha H. Ismail
109. Hafizu Sani Abdullahi
110. Bilkisu H. Shetima
111. Alhassan Ahmad T.
112. Haruna Wakili
113. Haruna Salihi
114. Murtala A. Ringim
115. Bashir Garba
62
Kano Council of Ulama
Centre for Human Rights in
Islam
Dept. of Arabic, FCE Kano
Pyramid Radio, Magwan
No. 51/54, Gwammaja, Kano
CDRT, Mambayya House,
Kano
CDRT, Mambayya House,
Kano
CDRT, Mambayya House,
Kano
Ministry of Justice, Kano
State, Kano
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APPENDIX V: Program of Events

Opening Ceremony/First Plenary Session

8.30 -9.30 am Arrival of Invited Participants
9.30 am Arrival of Special Guest of Honour, the
Deputy Governor of Kano State, His
Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani
Mohammed Gwarzo
9.30-9.35 am National Anthem
9.35-9.40 am Opening prayer
9.40-9.50 am Introductory Remarks by
A.B. Mahmoud, SAN, Dikko Mahmoud
Law Firm and Member, Mambayya
House Governing Board.
9.50-10.00 am Remarks by Chairman of the Occasion,
the Attorney General and Hon.
Commissioner for Justice, Kano State,
Barr. Malam Aliyu Umar
10.00 -10.35 am Key Note Address by Mal. M.A.
Liman, Head of Department, Geography
Department, Bayero University, Kano
10.35-10.45 Remarks by the Special Guest of
Honour, the Deputy Governor of Kano
State
10.45 -11.15am Tea/Coffee Break
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11.15-1.15 pm Second Session: Working Sessions

Group 1: Topic/Sub-theme: Road Usage,
Enforcement of Traffic Rules and Regulations,
Licencing and Revenue Generation and the Role of
Federal, State and Local Government Agencies
Lead Discussant: Alhaji Danyaro Yakasai
Facilitator: Mala. Muzzammil S. Hanga
Venue: Room 1
Group 2: Topic/Sub-theme: Urban Public
Transportation Systems, Modes of Transportation and
Modern Urban Traffic Management in Kano: Strategies
and Models From Other States and Countries.
Lead Discussants: Director-General, NITT, Zaria and
Alh. Tijjnai Muhammad Abdullahi
Facilitator: Arch Umar Tofa
Venue: Room 2

Group 3: Topic/Sub-theme: Public Health, Public

Safety and Environmental Issues in Public
Transportation
Lead Discussant: Engr. Hussam Musa Karry
Facilitator: Dr. Musa Borodo
Venue: Room 3

Group 4: Topic/Sub-theme: Urban Planning,

Population Explosion, Public Space and Issues of
Public Transportation in Urban Kano.
Lead Discussants: Arc. Aminu Kani and Dayyabu Z.
Gano
Facilitator: Engr. M.H. Bichi
Venue: Room 4

Group 5: Topic/Sub-theme: Attitudinal, Behavioural,

Cultural and Religious Issues to Public Space and
Transportation.
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Lead Discussant: Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil

Facilitator: Dr. Halil Ibrahim Sa‟id
Venue: Room 5
1.15-2.15 pm Lunch/Zuhr Prayer

2.15 – 3.45 pm Second Plenary Session

Reports from the Working Groups and
Discussion
3.45 – 4.15 pm Asr Prayer
4.15-4.50 pm Wrap up session and communiqué.
4.50-4.55 pm Vote of Thanks by Dr. Haruna Wakili,
Director, Mambayya House
4.55-5.00 pm Closing prayer
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APPENDIX VI: Members of the Organising

Committee

Dr. Haruna Wakili CDRT Chairman

Dr. Haruna Salihi CDRT Member
Alh. Garba Bashir Ministry of Justice Member
Alh. Abubakar Aminu Dikko & Mahmoud Member
Alh. Ibrahim Danpullo Ministry of Justice Member
Murtala Abubakar Ringim CDRT Member/Secretary