By Danjuma Attah, Gombe
Gombe State Government has approved the sum of N2.1 billion for the purchase of 26 operational and security vehicles for the 13 newly created Local Council Development Areas (LCDA’s)
The Statement Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, disclosed this shortly after the State Executive Council’s 51st and last meeting for the year 2025.
During the sitting which made many other approvals, Gambo Magaji explained that the vehicles are to enhance the security of the new Development Area Councils expected to commence operations this January, 2026.
Gambo Magaji also disclosed that the Council equally approved the sum of N321,000,000 for the payment of compensation to property owners affected by the ongoing construction of the underpass and other road projects across the Special Development Zone.
He clarified the misinformation making the rounds on the payment of compensation to land owners at Jauro Abare where the Inuwa Yahaya’s administration is currently constructing an international livestock and grains market.
According to him, the initial sum approved by the Gombe State Government for the payment of compensation to property owners in the affected area was 129,000,000, but due to public outcry, Governor Inuwa Yahaya approved a compassionate payment of additional sum of 140,800,000 as a way of jacking up the compensation.
The State Commissioner of Information and Culture, Hon. Mijinyawa Ardo Tilde, who coordinated the press briefing, had earlier announced that memos deliberated and approved by the council were those from Ministry of Education, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, and Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
Speaking on the memo approved for her ministry, the Commissioner for Education, Aishatu Umar Maigari, disclosed that the Council approved the sum of N661,557,121 for the payment of Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees for 23,873 students across the state.
According to her, the beneficiaries emerged from a mock examination conducted for 26,857 candidates, out of which 88 per cent scored 50 per cent and above, qualifying them for the Government-sponsored examination support.
“A breakdown of the beneficiaries shows that 21,909 students will sit for WAEC, 1,431 for NABTEB, while 297 candidates will be presented for NBAIS. The list also includes 183 non-indigene students on exchange programmes in the state and 53 students living with special needs, and this reflect the inclusive nature of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya”, she said.
The Commissioner further explained that the payment will be jointly funded by the State Government and the 11 Local Governments, with a 60-40 cost-sharing ratio, respectively.
She added that the intervention is part of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s deliberate strategy to remove financial barriers to education, improve academic outcomes and position Gombe State as a leading centre of learning in the North-East.
End.
