By Saeed Ahmad Bappah, Gombe
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has chaired the fifth meeting of Joint Projects Development Council where the 11 local government chairmen are members.
Akko, Ɓilliri and Yamaltu Deba are the three benefitting local governments.
Speaking during a press briefing held after the meeting, the Director-General of the Joint Project Development Agency, Buldr. Mahmood Yusuf Ph.D, disclosed that three projects were approved and will be executed in the three local governments to enhance infrastructure development in line with the vision of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
He said the three projects include the installation of solar street light across the newly constructed roads in Kumo, Akko local government; fencing of the NALDA market and provision of solar street light within the market in Kwadon area of Yamaltu/Deba; and expansion of the grains market and construction of 6 public toilets in Billiri local government.
“Today, we held the 5th Joint Project Council meeting, presided over by His Excellency, where the following projects were approved: the installation of solar street lights along the newly constructed roads in Kumo, Akko Local Government, at a cost of N740 million; the fencing of the NALDA market and the provision of solar street lights within the market in the Kwadon area of Yamaltu/Deba, costing N362 million; and the expansion of the grains market along with the construction of six public toilets in Billiri Local Government, at a cost of N47 million”, he stated.
“For the grains market, the project was approved earlier in 2024, and work is currently ongoing. The chairperson of the local government later submitted a request to expand the market by an additional 231 meters and for the construction of six toilets within the market. The initial contract, awarded at N112 million, has now been revised to N159 million due to the expansion”, the DG explained.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Gombe State ALGON Chairman, Barrister Sani Ahmad Haruna, stated that the council has resolved to take strict measures to curb vandalization of public properties.
He expressed concern over the growing trend of unscrupulous individuals destroying and stealing public assets, particularly metal components, which are sold to local scrap dealers known as Jari Bola.
Barrister Sani called on the public to take ownership of government properties and protect them as their own, emphasizing that when such assets are destroyed, it is the community that ultimately suffers.
The council also resolved to expand the operations of GOSTEC and Operation Hattara to cover all the 11 LGAs. “All other local security structures will now be merged under GOSTEC for better coordination and efficiency,” he stated.
“We have also agreed to develop new regulations for the Jari Bola business to ensure proper oversight, protect public infrastructure, and enhance security,” he added.
In her remarks, the ALGON Deputy Chairperson, Hajiya Fatima Binta Bello, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to consolidating the gains of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration, particularly in education and healthcare at the local government level.
“The council has resolved to strengthen human resources in schools and healthcare facilities. Local governments will identify and recruit qualified NCE teachers to bridge gaps in schools. Additionally, we have agreed to upgrade Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in collaboration with the state government. We will also absorb contract staff engaged under GAVI programs and even recruit more personnel,” she explained.
Adding to the discussion, the Chairman of Kwami Local Government, Dr. Ahmad Wali Doho, stated that the council has taken decisive steps to address the recurring farmer-herder conflicts by supporting the resurvey and remapping of grazing reserves and cattle routes.
“It has been resolved that anyone who encroaches on cattle routes or grazing reserves must vacate the area,” he declared.
Dr. Doho further addressed the situation at Wawa-Zange, a gazetted grazing reserve significantly affected by unauthorized farming activities.
“Anyone engaging in agricultural activities within the reserve without authorization is doing so at their own risk. The government will not hesitate to recover the land and protect its designated boundaries,” he emphasized.
He also stressed that no community, individual, institution, or government agency has the authority to issue ownership certificates for grazing reserves and cattle routes, reaffirming that by these lands remain protected for livestock development and conflict prevention.