JtimesBy Adamu Abubakar Kumo and Saeed Ahmad Bappah
The Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA) has conducted special development control exercises in Kumo and Kaltungo Towns.
The exercise aimed to enforce development compliance and build modern urban centers, aligning with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s vision for urban development in Gombe State.
In Kumo, the GOSUPDA Team, in collaboration with Akko LGA officials, conducted site visits to monitor and assess compliance with urban planning standards along ongoing road construction sites.
Speaking shortly after the assessment exercise, the Executive Chairman of GOSUPDA, Alh. Bappayo Samanja Maudo, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance with urban planning standards, particularly regarding the avoidance of encroachments on right-of-ways.
“We are acting on the directives of His Excellency, who mandated us to enforce compliance along all construction sites,” he stated. “We are pleased with the level of compliance observed.”
“People have removed their structures and buildings from the right-of-ways, which are meant to provide other social amenities like pipe-borne water and street lights,” he added.
Maudo called on the people of the town to avoid erecting structures on right-of-ways and other spaces meant for public use. He reiterated the Authority’s commitment to ensuring compliance with urban planning standards to create convenient and efficient urban centers in Gombe State, in line with Governor Inuwa’s mission.
Responding, the Executive Chairman of Akko Local Government, Alh. Muhammad Danladi Adamu, represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Malam Adamu Abdullahi, stated that upon receiving the governor’s directive, the LGA immediately took action.
“Upon receiving the directive, we immediately dispatched town criers to inform the general public. And our staff have also been very active and vigilant in ensuring that no one encroaches on right-of-ways,” he noted.
The Chairman assured GOSUPDA and Governor Inuwa Yahaya of continued compliance with standards during and after the completion of the road construction projects to ensure the provision of other public facilities like water, street lights, and afforestation.
A resident of Kumo Town, Musa Adamu (Musa Lara), commended GOSUPDA for conducting the development control exercise.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for executing development projects in the town, particularly the ultramodern General Hospital and the ongoing construction of township roads.
He assured that residents would desist from encroaching on right-of-ways or infringing on any planning policies to ensure the continued development of the town.
In Kaltungo, GOSUPDA conducted a special development control exercise to address illegal construction and encroachments. The agency issued stop and report notices to several properties, including: encroachment at Kalarin along NTA Street, a modern Islamic school at Sabon Layi adjacent Central Mosque and a storey building shopping complex along Nasarawa Street
Others are partial demolition of a structure blocking access road and stoppage of building of shopping mall at Millionaire Quarters among others.
Additionally, the GOSUPDA Chairman led the team in a condolence visit to one of its former staff, Abubakar Yahaya, who recently lost both his mother and wife. The family was offered condolences and prayers for the deceased and for their strength to bear the loss.
