By Mohammed Danlami
The Gombe State Government has approved the expansion and dualization of a key road in the state capital, starting from Federal Teaching Hospital Junction along Bauchi Road, passing through the Police Headquarters, extending to the Federal College of Education (Technical), and continuing along Ashaka Road, among other roads.
This was disclosed by the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, after the 39th State Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya at the council chamber of the Government House.
A statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General, (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe cited Prof Njodi as saying the contract for the township roads and dualization was awarded to Triacta Nig Ltd at a sum of 20.4 billion with the completion period of 12 calendar months.
He further explained that the council okayed the procurement of 2,500 Metric tonnes of fertilizer for onward distribution to farmers at a subsidized rate of about 50% for the 2024 farming season.
“The fertilizer is highly subsidized and the price is pegged at 22,000 Naira per bag as against 45,000 Naira market price, and distribution will be flagged off later in the month to ensure timely delivery to farmers”, explained the SSG.
Shedding more light on the infrastructure projects, the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Engr Usman Maijama’a Kallamu explained that the approval covered construction of road networks in BAP 4 and the dualisation works along Ashaka road which totals 18.5 kilometers.
He added that approval was also granted for the emergency repairs of road washouts and culverts along Dukku-Dokoro Road in Dukku LGA.
“There was a washout and collapse of the existing six-cell box culvert along the road, and the council approved the construction of a two-span bridge in its place at the cost of 1.593 billion Naira and will be completed in four months”, he highlighted.
The SEC also approved the sum of 587.6 million for construction and provision of some essential facilities at Lincoln University, Kumo Campus as part of the MoU signed between Gombe State Government and the Malaysian University.
The Commissioner of Higher Education, Hon. Muhammad Shattima Gadam said the approval is in furtherance of the state government’s commitment to fulfilling its own part of the bargain as signed in the MoU to fast-track accreditation and commencement of academic activities in the University.
Also commenting on the outcome of the meeting, the Hon Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru said all the approvals made by the Council are important projects that have direct impact on the common man and are a testament to Governor Inuwa’s disposition to better the lives of Gombe citizenry.
The Health Commissioner noted that “the approval for the procurement of highly subsidized fertilizer will facilitate food security, a bumper harvest this season that will ultimately reduce the skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs in the state, thereby bringing succour to the common man.”
