By Lateef Ibrahim
The Gombe State Executive Council (SEC), presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has approved over N10 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuities to retired civil servants in the state and local governments.
The approval was one of the major decisions reached at the 56th meeting of the State Executive Council held on Wednesday.
The Council’s decisions were disclosed during a post-EXCO press briefing presided over by the Commissioner for Information, Amb. Moses Kyari, where members of the Council whose memoranda were considered and approved took turns to brief journalists.
Speaking on the memo approved for his ministry, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, disclosed that the Council approved N2.18 billion and N4.06 billion to clear outstanding gratuities for state retirees for 2024 and 2025 respectively.
He stated that the Inuwa Yahaya administration has, since its inception, maintained the settlement of inherited gratuity liabilities as one of its priorities, with successive releases made to reduce the backlog and ensure that retirees receive their entitlements.
Magaji disclosed that with the latest approval, the administration has cleared all outstanding gratuity liabilities at the state level, bringing the total amount paid since the inception of the administration to over N36.5 billion.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Barr. Sani Ahmad Haruna, conveyed the Council’s approval of the sum of N4.08 Billion to clear outstanding gratuity liabilities for retirees at the local government level, explaining that the periods covered vary according to the financial capacity and outstanding liabilities of each local government.
He said Akko Local Government will pay outstanding gratuities for 2019; Balanga, 2018 to 2023; Billiri, 2019 to 2025; Dukku, 2018 to 2022; Funakaye, 2025; Gombe, 2017 to 2022; Kaltungo, 2017 to 2023; Kwami, 2025; Nafada, 2025; Shongom, 2019 to 2023; and Yamaltu/Deba, 2017 and 2018.
The Executive Council also approved the 2026 Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) counterpart matching fund.
The Commissioner for Education, Professor Aishatu Umar Maigari, disclosed that N6.1 billion was approved as the state’s 50 per cent counterpart commitment, qualifying Gombe to participate among 16 states positioned to benefit from the HOPE-EDU programme, which builds on the gains recorded under the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme.
According to her, the intervention will focus on improving learning outcomes, mopping up out-of-school children, teacher recruitment and other measures aimed at strengthening basic education. It will also feature a Track and Trace initiative for effective monitoring of targeted beneficiaries.
The Council equally approved memoranda for the execution of road projects, including a N1.6 billion variation for the Gadam-Yame-Yari road project being implemented through RAMP, while the 4.3-kilometre Kembu-Kidda-Panda road spur from Nasarawo to Kuri was awarded at N2.04 billion, also under the RAMP project.
Speaking on memoranda considered for his ministry, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Muhammad Saidu Fawu, disclosed that N2.1 billion was approved for the expansion of Nayi-Nawa School at Buhari Estate, with the facility to be extended into the present Gombe Club premises.
He also announced the approval for the installation of 563 solar streetlights in Nasarawo, Yelenguruza and Commercial Area communities, while another 522 solar streetlights will be installed in Bolari, the city centre behind the CBN and along Dass Road in the metropolis.
The Commissioner further disclosed that renovation works were approved for the Ministry of Women Affairs, while a variation amounting to N423 million was approved for the ongoing upgrade of the International Airport, Lawanti.
Fawu also announced the Council’s approval for the construction of a recreational centre in Shehu Abubakar District to replace the old Gombe Club, with the project awarded to Circle Design.
Other approvals include memoranda from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism for the construction of a road from B2 to the 132/133kVA facility, infrastructure maintenance, gully erosion control and construction of a gatehouse at the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, at a total cost of N3.3 billion.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Adamu Danladi Bojude, also disclosed the Council’s approval for the handing over of the Kaltungo Snake Bite Treatment and Research Hospital to the Federal Government for conversion to the recently approved National Snake Bite and Medical Centre in Kaltungo.
He also announced the approval of a statewide free surgical and medical outreach targeting less-privileged residents across communities in the 11 local government areas of the state.
On security, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Hon. Adamu Dishi Kupto, disclosed that Gombe State is among the beneficiaries of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of new military formations, with the state to host the 27 Armoured Brigade and its Garrison, as well as the 271 Tank Battalion in Bajoga and the 272 Tank Battalion in Kaltungo.
He explained that the establishment of the formations will further strengthen the security architecture of Gombe State and enhance military operations across the sub-region.
The Commissioner added that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has approved temporary sites for the formations as well as the necessary logistical support to facilitate their immediate take-off.
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