By Danjuma Attah, Gombe
The 6th meeting of the Gombe State Joint Development Project Council has approved the execution of several infrastructural projects aimed at improving the living conditions of rural communities across the State.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting that was chaired by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the State Commissioner for Local Governments, Abdulkadir Mohammed Waziri, explained that the Council took far reaching decisions intended to improving infrastructures for the rural dwellers in the State.
Giving details of the projects, the Director-General of the Joint Project Development Agency, Mahmood Yusuf, disclosed some of the key approvals from the Council meeting.
He explained that approval was granted for the installation of solar-powered streetlights across the newly constructed roads in Tumfure, Akko Local Government Area at a contract sum of 1.1 Billion Naira.
Also, some communities in Nafada Local Government Area which include Birin Fulani, Birin Bolawa, Barwo Winde, Barwo Nasarawo, Jigawan Nafada and Gudukku would benefit from the solar-powerd streetlights at a contract sum of 681 Million Naira.
On the upgrade of the Kantoma Market into a one storey building in Billiri LGA, Dr. Yusuf disclosed that the project was earlier awarded during the council’s 4th meeting at a contract sum of 420 million Naira.
He explained that the Billiri LGA Chairperson later wrote to request for its upgrade into a storey building to boost local commerce and enhance revenue generation. The sum of 213 million was then approved for the conversion.
The Director-General further disclosed that additional works have been approved at the the newly established NALDA market in Kwadon, Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area.
The additional works include the upgrade of the water scheme, provision of perimeter fence around the water tank especially the control area, and construction of 4 fetching points to allow for adequate utilization of the project. It was awarded at a contract sum of 19 million Naira.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Kwami Local Government Area, Ass. Prof. Ahmed Wali Doho, who also heads a sub-committee overseeing a verification exercise for Local Government workers across the state, briefed the press on critical findings from the ongoing screening.
According to him, the interim report submitted on the verification exercise, which ran from 12th June to 3rd July 2025 and focused initially on staff of the Local Education Authority (LEA), revealed a large-scale payroll fraud so far uncovered.
He said, “A total of 686 individuals failed to show up to prove they are legitimate workers. They were still drawing salaries, which amounted to N31 million.”
He added that another finding indicates that in the April payroll, 265 workers, some deceased, others retired, were still receiving monthly pay and the amount realized under this was N36 million.
He further stated that the committee found that 258 staff members, who were supposedly on loan to other government agencies or departments, were collecting double salaries, a practice that contravenes civil service regulations, “This alone has cost the State N67 million”, Doho stated.
He emphasized that as the exercise continues, the goal is not to witch-hunt anyone but to ensure payroll integrity, block financial leakages and create room for fresh recruitment, particularly in critical sectors across the local government areas.
End.
