By Adamu Abubakar Kumo and Saeed Ahmad Bappah, Gombe
Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority, GOSUPDA, in partnership with Gombe Local Government Area, conducted a special inspection and development control exercise within the Gombe metropolis.
Speaking after the joint inspection, the Executive Chairman of GOSUPDA, Alh Bappayo samanja maudo, highlighted that the exercise aimed to assess suitable areas for new developments, such as the proposed mechanic village and new GSM market.
Additionally, the inspection sought to ensure the seamless and complete relocation of motor parks scattered throughout the city to the newly commissioned Dankwambo Motor Park.
Maudo emphasized that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya was deeply concerned about the haphazard nature of business and commercial activities in the state capital, which was hindering its development and discouraging investment.
He stated that the Governor was committed to providing convenient and well-organized business spaces for the people of Gombe State, while maintaining order and adhering to standard urban planning practices.
At the Pantami GSM market, the Executive Chairman of GOSUPDA reiterated the authority’s commitment to enforcing regulations related to physical development and town planning.
He stressed that GOSUPDA was working collaboratively with local governments and relevant authorities to create convenient urban spaces that would support businesses and social life.
The Chairman of Gombe LGA, Barrister Sani Ahmad Haruna, who also serves as the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Gombe State, emphasized the importance of synergy between different levels of government to achieve meaningful development.
He noted that the joint exercise with GOSUPDA was to assess the progress of relocation efforts and to plan for future activities at the local level.
Barrister Sani highlighted that the establishment of the mega park by the Inuwa-led administration would significantly improve safety, security, and revenue generation, while also driving economic growth.
“This would make Gombe a more attractive and well-equipped state capital for business and social life”, Barrister Sani remarked.
At Pantami, the Executive Chairman of GOSUPDA explained that the authority’s recent intervention to halt construction in the Pantami GSM Market was intended to ensure due process and equitable allocation of land for efficiency and safety.
The Gombe LGA Chairman assured the market traders that the local government would adhere to due process and collaborate with GOSUPDA to reallocate and develop some spaces within the market, creating more convenient business areas.
In response, the Chairman of the Gombe GSM Marketers Association, Alh. Auwal Umar, thanked the Gombe State Government and Gombe LGA for their concern for the welfare of their members.
He assured them that his members would continue to follow due process and avoid encroaching on right-of-ways or other public spaces without proper authorization.
At Dadaleso Jekadafari, the GOSUPDA boss acknowledged the level of compliance demonstrated by the transport workers, drivers, and other related businesses who had been asked to relocate to the Dankwambo Motor Park.
While acknowledging that the relocation might temporarily disrupt operations and business activities, he emphasized that it would ultimately bring significant benefits to the people in the long run.
Gombe LG Chair urged them to make sacrifices for the sake of the state, assuring them that the Gombe LGA would provide necessary incentives and support to those whose businesses were affected.
The Chairman of the transporters at Dadaleso, Jekadafari, Malam Abdullahi Inuwa, assured that his members would comply with the relocation to the new mega park and would make arrangements to transport passengers from their current location to the park.
At the Old Gombe Line Terminus, the GOSUPDA Chairman expressed support for the conversion of the area into a modern GSM market with modern facilities.
He emphasized the need for unity and cooperation among all stakeholders to support this development for the benefit of the community.
The Gombe LGA Chairman confirmed that the old Gombe Line Terminus would be converted into a GSM market with modern infrastructure and facilities, assuring that the LGA had already taken the necessary steps with GOSUPDA for the project’s implementation.
The Shatiman Gombe and Acting Senior District Head of Gombe, Alh. Usman Shattima called upon all affected business owners in the visited areas to respect the law and order and continue to support government policies and programs for the overall benefit of society.
Other places visited by the joint team included the Abubakar Umar Stadium site near FCE(T), the Gombe LGA Shopping Complex opposite Old Market, and the New Mile Tree along Gombe-Yola road.