Gombe Approves N1.1 Billion For Solar Street Lights, Market Expansion And Infrastructure

Gombe Approves N1.1 Billion for Solar Street Lights, Market Expansion and Infrastructure

By Hussaini Ibrahim

The Gombe State Government has approved ₦1.149 billion for the installation of solar street lights and other key infrastructure projects across three local government areas (LGAs).

The approval was granted on Thursday during the 5th Joint Project Council (JPC) Meeting of the Gombe State Joint Project Development Agency, presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON.

Speaking after the meeting, the Director-General of the Joint Project Development Agency, Buldr. Mahmood Yusuf, Ph.D., stated that the projects align with Governor Yahaya’s vision of enhancing infrastructure across the state.

“The projects approved include the installation of solar street lights along newly constructed roads in Kumo, Akko Local Government, at a cost of ₦740 million; the fencing of the NALDA market and the provision of solar street lights within the market in Kwadon, Yamaltu/Deba, costing ₦362 million; and the expansion of the grains market along with the construction of six public toilets in Billiri Local Government, at a cost of ₦47 million,” Yusuf said.

He further disclosed that the grains market project was initially approved in 2024, but the local government chairperson later requested an expansion by an additional 231 meters, alongside the construction of six toilets. As a result, the initial contract sum of ₦112 million was revised to ₦159 million.

The Gombe State Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Chairman and Chairman of Gombe Local Government, Barr. Sani Ahmad Haruna, raised concerns over increasing incidents of theft in public buildings, including schools and cemeteries.

To tackle the issue, he announced that the council has resolved to strengthen security by deploying the Gombe State Security, Traffic, and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC) and expanding the reach of Operation Hattara across all 11 LGAs.

In her remarks, the Chairperson of Shongom Local Government, Rt. Hon. Fatima Binta Bello, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to strengthening education and healthcare services.

“The council has resolved to recruit more qualified teachers with National Certificate in Education (NCE) to address gaps in schools. We will also upgrade Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and absorb contract staff previously engaged under the GAVI programme,” she said.

Additionally, the Chairman of Kwami Local Government, Dr. Ahmad Wali Doho, highlighted the council’s strategy to address farmer-herder conflicts by resurveying and remapping grazing reserves and cattle routes.

“It has been resolved that anyone encroaching on cattle routes or grazing reserves must vacate immediately once detected by the authorities,” Dr. Doho stated.

The projects approved under the Joint Project Council Meeting reflect the Gombe State Government’s ongoing commitment to infrastructural development, security, and improved service delivery at the grassroots level.