By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
The Gombe State Executive Council (SEC) presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has approved over N50 billion as contract and compensation sums for the 21-kilometre gully erosion control project, through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL).
The project, awarded to TRIACTA Limited, will span across key erosion-prone areas from behind the Commissioner of Police’s residence, through Pantami to Kwarin-Hayin Kwarin Misau down to GGSS Doma.
The Commissioner for Environment, Water and Forest Resources, Mohammed Saidu Fawu, disclosed this shortly after the State Executive Council meeting.
Fawu also disclosed that in addition to the infrastructure works, the Council approved another N2.1 billion as compensation for individuals whose property or means of livelihood may be affected by the project’s implementation throughout its length.
The project, is expected to mitigate the growing threat of land degradation and safeguard critical infrastructure and communities at risk.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Muhammad Shettima Gadam, announced Council’s approval for the takeover and conversion of the Government Secondary School (GSS) Malam Sidi into the Faculty of Agriculture under the Gombe State University (GSU).
He said to ensure the commencement of operations at the newly established faculty, the council has approved N1.1 billion as take-off funds for the faculty which is expected to begin academic activities next year.
He further stated that 4 departments with 10 courses have been approved as follows: Department of Agriculture & Animal Science with Bsc Agriculture and Bsc Animal Science as its courses; Department of Agricultural Economics & Extension with Bsc Agribusines, Bsc Agricultural Economics and Bsc Agricultural Extension as its courses.
Other departments are those of Crop and Soil Sciences with Bsc Crop Science, Bsc Soil Science and Bsc Horticulture and Landscape Management as its courses as well as department of Fisheries and Wildlife Management with Bsc Fisheries & Agriculture and Bsc Forestry Resources and Wildlife Management as its courses.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Engr. Usman Maijama Kallamu, disclosed that the council has approved the rehabilitation of a wash-out road which starts from Akko (Amada) to Bula-Gari, Abuja-Bula and Kwami-Gari at the sum of 891 million naira.
The Executive Council has also approved the full and final payment of N1.4 billion to settle an inherited mortgage loan from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), marking a significant step in the state’s fiscal consolidation efforts.
Briefing journalists, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, revealed that the loan was originally obtained by the previous administration for the construction of housing estates at Tumfure and along Dukku Road.
Magaji explained that over the years, the principal and accrued interest on the facility had ballooned to N2.7 billion.
However, following Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s strategic engagement and advocacy with the Federal Mortgage Bank, the state secured a remarkable 70% waiver amounting to N1.3 billion.
“With this waiver, Gombe State is now expected to pay only N1.4 billion as full and final settlement of the debt. This is a major financial relief and a reflection of the Governor’s prudent financial management and negotiation skills,” the Finance Commissioner stated.
In a related development, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Zubair Umar, disclosed that the state government has successfully reached an out-of-court settlement with Zenith Bank over a lingering legal dispute dating back to 2011.
The case involved a contract awarded for the supply of Dictionaries worth over N1 billion.
According to the Attorney General, the bank had issued a guarantee for the contractor, who later failed to fulfill the terms of the contract.
The state subsequently demanded a refund of N872 million from the Bank, which the bank resisted, resulting in a prolonged legal battle that escalated to the Supreme Court.
“Thanks to the Governor’s directive to seek amicable resolution, we have now resolved the matter through an out-of-court agreement, saving the state further legal costs and ensuring closure on a matter that has dragged for over a decade,” Barr. Umar said.
