The Kaduna State government says it has removed structures built under high tension lines without approval to ensure the safety of lives and properties.

Isma’il Dikko, the director-general of the Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA), disclosed this at a meeting with the committee of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Kaduna on Tuesday.

He said the meeting was to discuss issues of encroaching on the right of way for transmission lines.

Represented by Bello Musa, the director for building permits, Mr Dikko reiterated the readiness of KASUPDA to collaborate with organisations towards achieving goals of planning for development.

Mr Dikko said structures in communities in Rigachikun and Barkallahu in Igabi Local Government Areas were affected.

He further noted that the authority would not relent on its mandate of ensuring daily monitoring of developments in the state.

In their remarks, some of the management staff emphasised the need for TCN to erect signposts that would indicate their properties to avoid encroachment.

Aminu Haruna, regional manager of TCN, said they visited to discuss with relevant agencies and other stakeholders the problem of encroaching transmission lines.

Represented by Abubakar Abdulazeez, the committee member noted that it was constituted to go around all the states to discuss and find the way forward.

Cephas Kangeh, general manager, Health Safety and Environment (HSE) of the company, said encroaching the right of way for transmission lines was a source of concern nationwide.

Mr Kangeh said many lives and property were being lost due to the encroachment on transmission lines in different states nationwide.

He recalled one of the incidents which occurred in Calabar, Cross River, where more than 60 people lost their lives on the spot while watching a football game.

(NAN)