Gombe govt approves ₦2bn for rural projects

The Gombe State Government, in partnership with some Local Government Areas, has approved over ₦2 billion for solar street lights and other key rural development projects.

Mr Mahmood Yusuf, Director-General of Gombe State Joint Project Development Agency, disclosed this on Tuesday after the State’s Joint Project Council meeting in Gombe.

Yusuf said additional works at the National Agricultural Land Development Agency, Yamaltu Deba LGA, were approved to support the agricultural sector in the area.

He added that the ongoing Kaltoma market project in Billiri would now be upgraded to a one-storey building at a revised cost of ₦213 million.

“Also approved was the installation of solar street lights in six Nafada communities, with the project estimated at ₦681.4 million,” Yusuf said.

He added that solar street lighting would be installed along newly constructed roads in Tumfure, Akko LGA, at a cost of ₦1.143 billion.

Yusuf noted that the projects would enhance security, promote economic activities, and strengthen agriculture across the state.

Dr Ahmed Wali, Kwami LGA Chairman, spoke on the verification exercise conducted across the 11 Local Government Councils in the state.

Wali, who chaired the Verification Committee, said the exercise saved ₦67 million in April alone due to several discrepancies uncovered.

He revealed that 686 workers failed to appear before the committee, leading to a saving of ₦31 million from unpaid salaries.

Wali said that another ₦36 million was saved after 265 deceased or retired staff were found to still be on the payroll.

He stressed that the exercise was ongoing and aimed at boosting productivity while eliminating ghost workers, not sacking genuine staff.