Gombe executive council approves N389m compensation to property owners, others affected by gully erosion control project, okays upgrade of mega schools

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Commissioners addressing journalists after the executive council meeting 

By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe

The State Executive Council,  presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has approved N389 million to pay compensation to about 100 property owners and organizations that will be affected by the recently signed N12 billiion gully erosion control project along the Federal College of Education Tech -Railway Line in the state capital.  

Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Muhammad Gambo Magaji said that the payment which will commence immediately, is to ensure seamless resettlement of affected persons and pave the way for the commencement of work in earnest.  

He also said that the payment is part of the requirements of the World Bank, in line with the partnership agreement. 

According to him, “As part of the world Bank requirements, the government of Gombe state will pay compensation to affected individuals and also pay for the cost of resettlement and lost of business environment so as to effectively pave way for contractors to begin work.” 

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State

He added that, “The beneficiaries are in hundreds, almost one thousand people; there is compensation for houses, and also for business premises.” 

The Commissioner further said that, “There is also stipends for the elderly living around that area so that they are able to have good livelihood.”

Gambo Magaji  also disclosed that the State Executive Council equally approved the Business Enabling Reforms Action Plan (BERAP), a critical requirement for the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms which is championed by the Presidential Business Environment Council (PEBEC) for which Gombe is a participant.

He said the Executive Council reviewed the BERAP document and approved same for publication, indicating that the State has met the stipulated criteria.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Works,  Engr. Maijama’a Kallamu said the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya is not only poised to providing benefitting structures for effective teaching and learning but other social and recreational facilities to further make the educational system in the newly established mega schools more pleasurable and inviting.

 In the vein, the Commissioner of Education Prof. Aishatu Maigari remarked that the five mega schools the commissioner explained include Government Secondary School Dukku and Kaltungo, Government Comprehensive Secondary School Dadinkowa, Government Girls Secondary School Doma and Government Science Secondary School Gombe.

She said each of these schools has its peculiar needs which the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya is working through  a taskforce to comprehensively address.

The Commissioner of Agriculture,  Animal Husbandry and Normadic Affairs, Dr Barnabas Malle revealed that the proactiveness of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in setting up a multi disciplary committee on farmers/herder conflicts contributed to the zero conflict incident usually experienced during harvest times.

He said the state’s policy prohibiting open grazing from the months of October to January equally played a significant role in mitigating and entrenching mutual understanding between the farmers and the herders.

On the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya  keeping up the steam on project execution, the Director-General (Press Affairs )Government House recalled that since the Governor took over the reigns of leadership, Gombe has become a construction site for all manner of projects geared towards the social and economic wellbeing of the people.

The Director General Press Affairs assured newsmen that the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya will not develop a cold feet towards leaving an enduring landmark in health, education, environment and human capital development among other sectors.

Earlier the Commissioner of Information, Culture  and  Ethical Orientation,  Mohammed Mijinyawa Tilde, had while coordinating the press briefing,  explained that all approvals at the State Executive Council were done in the best interest of the people of the state.