A REFLECTION ON THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF BLOCK-MAKING ENTERPRISES IN THE KATSINA METROPOLIS

Abstract

Katsina like other old cities in Hausaland has a number of traditional architecture which include thatched buildings, mud buildings and laterite stone buildings. These traditional architectures undergo various transformations due to geographical and other factors which consequently led to the introduction of modern forms of architecture using cement blocks. The new architecture dominates all forms of buildings to the extent that over ninety percent (90%) of the people in Katsina metropolis had abandoned the traditional architecture to switch to the modern form of building made of cement blocks because of durability.37 This paper will, therefore, examine the historical origin and development of block-making enterprises in the Katsina metropolis as well as the role of government and Non-Governmental Organizations in the development of the enterprises