Gombe approves N16bn roads, N1.4bn solar street lights

The Gombe State Executive Council has approved more than N16 billion for the construction of township roads in Billiri and Kaltungo, alongside over N1.4 billion for solar-powered street lighting projects in Gombe metropolis, as the state government intensifies efforts to improve infrastructure, road safety and urban development.

The approvals were among the decisions reached at the council’s 55th meeting, presided over by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, alongside other interventions covering the state’s airport, education, youth development and agriculture.

Briefing journalists after the meeting on Friday, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Saidu Fawu said the council ratified the procurement and installation of 198 solar-powered street lights along the four-kilometre road corridor from the Hajj Camp to the Brigadier Zakari Maimalari International Airport, including the airport’s internal roads.

The project was awarded at a cost of N400.467 million.

Fawu said, “The council ratified the procurement and installation of 198 solar-powered street lights along the four-kilometre road corridor from the Hajj Camp to the Brigadier Zakari Maimalari International Airport, including the airport’s internal roads.”

The council also approved another solar street lighting project covering the Ashaka Junction–Federal College of Education axis and adjoining roads around the city centre.

The project, valued at N1.087 billion, was awarded to Mega Tech Consult Nigeria Limited.

According to the commissioner, the projects are expected to improve visibility along strategic routes while contributing to safer and more accessible roads within the state capital.

Airport gets N839m facelift

The council also approved N839.471 million for the renovation and furnishing of facilities at the Brigadier Zakari Maimalari International Airport.

Mr Fawu said the project would include the rehabilitation of critical airport infrastructure as well as the repair and restoration of the airport’s fire service truck.

“The project includes the rehabilitation of critical airport infrastructure as well as the repair and restoration of the airport’s fire service truck to improve operational efficiency, strengthen emergency response capability and ensure compliance with aviation safety standards,” he said.

The council further approved N414.345 million for the repair of washouts caused by recent heavy rainfall at the airport.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, said the intervention became necessary following damage caused by the rainfall.

He said the government remained committed to maintaining critical infrastructure and ensuring that facilities serving the state remained functional.

N16bn approved for Billiri, Kaltungo roads

In another major infrastructure decision, the council approved more than N16 billion for township road projects in Billiri and Kaltungo Local Government Areas.

Mr Kallamu said N7.295 billion was approved for the construction of Kaltungo Township Road, while N8.752 billion was approved for Billiri Township Road.

He explained that both projects had initially been awarded in 2022 but could not commence because of compensation-related challenges.

“The projects had initially been awarded in 2022 but could not commence due to issues relating to compensation,” Kallamu said.

According to him, the revised approvals took prevailing market realities into account and would allow construction work on the projects to commence.

Council backs education transformation

Beyond infrastructure, the council adopted recommendations aimed at strengthening basic and technical education in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Maigari, said one of the key recommendations adopted by the council was the Gombe Basic Education and Skills Transformation initiative, GOBEST.

She described GOBEST as a flagship and legacy programme of the administration aimed at repositioning basic and technical education and improving learning outcomes across the state.

Mrs Maigari said, “One of the key recommendations adopted by the council as an actionable strategy is the Gombe Basic Education and Skills Transformation initiative.”

The council also approved N998.004 million for the procurement of 22,000 mattresses and beddings for boarding schools across the state.

According to Maigari, the intervention was necessary to provide students with a more conducive learning environment.

“The approval became necessary to provide a more conducive learning environment for students in the state’s mega schools and other boarding institutions,” she said.

Gombe adopts strategic youth policy

The council also adopted the Gombe State Strategic Youth Policy, designed to provide a framework for youth development across the state.

Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Micah Hamman, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, said the policy was intended to consolidate government investments in young people and prepare them for productive participation in society.

Mr Hamman said more than 60 per cent of Gombe State’s population comprises young people, making youth development a major priority for the administration.

“With over 60 per cent of Gombe State’s population comprising young people, the present administration has consistently prioritised youth-focused programmes,” he said.

He explained that the policy was aligned with the state’s 10-year development plan and would address youth unemployment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, capacity building and other human capital development initiatives.

“The new policy would consolidate existing investments to empower young people and prepare them for productive participation in society,” Hamman said.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Yusuf Abdullahi Waziri, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing the policy.

Mr Waziri said, “The policy will significantly address the challenges hindering youth development in Gombe State while sustaining and consolidating the achievements already recorded in the sector.”

200,000 fertiliser bags distributed

The council also reviewed arrangements for distributing 200,000 bags of high-quality fertiliser procured by the state government to support farmers during the current farming season.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Waziri Muhammad, said approximately 80 per cent of the fertiliser had already been distributed across the state’s 11 Local Government Areas.

“About 80 per cent of the fertiliser has already been distributed to the eleven Local Government Areas to ensure timely access by farmers at the grassroots,” Muhammad said.

He explained that the remaining allocation would be distributed to large-scale and medium-scale farmers, registered farmer groups, associations and other eligible beneficiaries under the existing distribution framework.

According to him, the intervention is part of the government’s efforts to increase agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.

“Agriculture remains one of the administration’s priority sectors, and this intervention is designed to increase productivity and support farmers during the current farming season,” he said.

Government targets consolidation

The Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Culture, Moses Kyari, said the various approvals demonstrated the administration’s determination to consolidate its development agenda despite being in the final phase of its tenure.

Mr Kyari said the projects and policies approved by the council cut across infrastructure, education, youth development and agriculture.

“The approvals are in line with Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to consolidating the developmental gains recorded since the inception of his administration,” he said.

According to him, the government would continue to pursue projects and policies aimed at strengthening public infrastructure, improving human capital development and supporting economic activities across Gombe State.