…Conducts Joint Site Visits to Demarcate New Gombe Metropolitan Boundaries

…Executive Order Aims to Expand Urban Development, not Territorial Boundaries – GOSUPDA Chair

By Adamu Abubakar Kumo

The Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA) has converged a joint meeting with Gombe Geographic Information System (GOGIS) and Chairmen of Akko, Yamaltu Deba, Kwami, and Gombe Local Government Councils to facilitate smooth implementation of Executive Order No. 4 signed by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in 2020.

Addressing newsmen on the intent and purpose of the Executive Order, the Executive Chairman, Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA), Alh. Bappayo Samanja Maudo explained that all lands within a 20-kilometer radius from the center of the state capital are designated as urban areas.

The Executive Chairman also added that lands within a 15-kilometer radius from the headquarters of all local government areas in the State are equally designated as urban areas, with a 10-kilometer radius around major towns within each Local Government Council.

“From the commencement of this order, it shall not be lawful for any Local Government council to grant any right of occupancy to any person over any undeveloped land specified in sections 2 and 3 of the Executive Order”, he noted.

Maudo stressed that Executive Order No. 4, signed by Governor Inuwa Yahaya, is based on the Land Use Act of 1978, which grants state governors control and management of all land within their respective states.

He clarified that the order aims to expand the developmental radius of Gombe metropolis and is not intended to adjust territorial boundaries.

The joint committee visited Dangar in Yamaltu Deba Local Government, Doho in Kwami Local Government, and Gamagadi in Akko Local Government Area to demarcate the new urban boundaries.

Commenting shortly after the completion of the site visit, Maudo expressed satisfaction with the level of corporation and understanding from the affected chairmen, adding that the joint exercise is just commencing.

“This is just the beginning; we are going to move around and visit about 24 locations across the three LGAs of Akko, Kwami and Yamaltu Deba”, he noted, adding that after the exercise, they will shift focus to traditional rulers to explain the intent and purpose of the executive order to them.

Also speaking, the Director-General, GOGIS, Dr Kabiru Usman Hassan highlighted that the executive order aims to expand the radius of Gombe metropolis, bringing in fruitful projects to benefit the residents.

“The implementation of Executive Order 4, which aims to urbanize the extended metropolis, is a critical step towards achieving spatial planning and land use optimization”, he emphasized.

He explained that by implementing the order, government can facilitate coordinated development, reduce urban sprawl, and promote compact urban form in all lands within the expanded metropolitan boundaries.

Earlier speaking, the ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Gombe LGA, Barrister Sani Ahmad Haruna, said that the expansion of the metropolitan area to a 20-kilometer radius from the center of the state capital is a commendable gesture that will provide the newly covered areas with opportunities to benefit from development projects, just like those living in the heart of the metropolis.

In their separate responses at various locations marking the metropolitan boundaries in their respective LGAs, the Executive Chairmen of Yamaltu Deba, Kwami, and Akko LGAs – Hon. Abubakar Hassan Difa, Hon. Ahmed Wali Doho, and Muhammad Danladi Adamu, respectively – applauded Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s foresight in investing in both urban and rural infrastructure.

“With this new commitment, several communities from the affected LGAs will benefit from numerous development projects,” they noted, assuring full support for the implementation of the order.

The chairmen reaffirmed that the executive order does not alter the established local government boundaries but aims to ensure proper urban development in Gombe metropolis and other designated urban areas.

“Executive Order No. 4, signed by His Excellency, focuses on urbanization and urban development. It does not alter the historical territories or constitutional provisions that demarcate local government boundaries,” they clarified.

They urged residents of the affected areas to comply with the new order, assuring that the Inuwa administration remains committed to delivering quality governance and improving the lives of the people.