The Katsina government has begun enforcement measures to control congestion and prevent encroachment on pedestrian setbacks along newly constructed roads.
The general manager of the state’s Urban and Regional Planning Board, Abbas Sambo, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement was signed by Yakubu Lado, the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning’s spokesman.
According to Mr Sambo, the administration of Governor Dikko Radda undertook road dualisation projects to ensure the free flow of traffic across major areas in the city.
He stressed that the proper use and protection of road infrastructure need to be enforced by the board.
Mr Sambo said the affected roads include the Kofar Soro-Kofar Guga Corridor and Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road, popularly known as the Katsina Eastern Bypass.
As part of the exercise, he said the board is demarcating approved setbacks by installing beacons at intervals.
The demarcation, he said, has been completed along the Kofar Soro-Kofar Guga Road, while work is currently ongoing on the Katsina Eastern Bypass.
“The exercise is aimed at stopping hawkers and other users from displaying goods or carrying out activities on pedestrian reserves. The board noted that setback areas are designated for public infrastructure such as fibre-optic cables, electricity poles, water pipes, and other utilities,” he said.
Mr Sambo added that the initiative would cover other state roads, emphasising that road setbacks are legally part of infrastructure and shouldn’t be misused.
He urged residents to seek clarification from relevant authorities before occupying or using land left after road construction.

(NAN)