GOMBE APPROVES N10.32BN TO CLEAR RETIREES’ OUTSTANDING GRATUITIES

By ‘Balogun Ibrahim

The Gombe State Government has approved N10.32 billion to settle outstanding gratuities owed to retired civil servants at both the state and local government levels.

The approvals were among the decisions reached at the 56th meeting of the Gombe State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

The decisions were disclosed on Wednesday during a post-Executive Council briefing by the Commissioner for Information, Ambassador Moses Kyari, alongside other commissioners whose ministries presented memoranda considered by the council.

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The Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, said N2.18 billion was approved to settle outstanding gratuities owed state retirees for 2024, while another N4.06 billion was approved for 2025.

According to him, the latest payments bring the total amount spent by the administration on state-level gratuities since its inception to more than N36.5 billion, effectively clearing outstanding liabilities at the state level.

At the local government level, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Sani Ahmad Haruna, said N4.08 billion was approved to settle outstanding gratuities owed retirees across the state’s 11 local government areas.

He explained that the period covered varies among the councils, depending on the level of outstanding liabilities and their financial positions.

The approved payments cover Akko for 2019; Balanga, 2018–2023; Billiri, 2019–2025; Dukku, 2018–2022; Funakaye, 2025; Gombe, 2017–2022; Kaltungo, 2017–2023; Kwami, 2025; Nafada, 2025; Shongom, 2019–2023; and Yamaltu/Deba, 2017–2018.

N6.1bn Approved for UBEC Counterpart Funding

The council also approved N6.1 billion as Gombe State’s 50 per cent counterpart contribution to the 2026 Universal Basic Education Commission intervention fund.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Aishatu Umar Maigari, said the approval would enable the state to participate among the 16 states expected to benefit from the HOPE-EDU programme, which builds on the gains of the Better Education Service Delivery for All initiative.

She said the programme would focus on improving learning outcomes, reducing the number of out-of-school children, recruiting teachers and strengthening basic education delivery across the state.

The initiative will also include a Track and Trace component to monitor beneficiaries and ensure that interventions reach their intended recipients.

N3.64bn Approved for Road Projects

Under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, the council approved N1.6 billion as a variation for the ongoing Gadam-Yame-Yari road project.

It also awarded a N2.04 billion contract for the construction of the 4.3-kilometre Kembu-Kidda-Panda road spur from Nasarawo to Kuri.

The two road projects amount to approximately N3.64 billion.

1,085 Solar Streetlights Approved

The council approved the installation of 1,085 solar-powered streetlights across several communities in Gombe metropolis.

The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Muhammad Saidu Fawu, said 563 streetlights would be installed in Nasarawo, Yelenguruza and Commercial Area, while another 522 would be installed in Bolari, the city centre behind the Central Bank of Nigeria and along Dass Road.

The council also approved N2.1 billion for the expansion of Nayi-Nawa School at Buhari Estate, with the project extending into the existing Gombe Club premises.

Fawu disclosed that renovation works had also been approved for the Ministry of Women Affairs, while N423 million was approved as a variation for the ongoing upgrade of the Gombe International Airport, Lawanti.

The council further approved the construction of a recreational centre in Shehu Abubakar District to replace the old Gombe Club.

N3.3bn Industrial Park Infrastructure

The Executive Council approved infrastructure projects valued at N3.3 billion under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

The projects include the construction of a road linking B2 to the 132/133kVA facility, infrastructure maintenance, gully erosion control and the construction of a gatehouse at the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park.

The government said the interventions are expected to improve access and infrastructure around the industrial park.

Gombe Approves Free Medical, Surgical Outreach

In the health sector, the council approved a statewide free medical and surgical outreach programme targeting less-privileged residents across the 11 local government areas.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Adamu Danladi Bojude, said the initiative would provide essential medical and surgical services to residents who may be unable to afford treatment.

The council also approved the handover of the Kaltungo Snake Bite Treatment and Research Hospital to the Federal Government. The facility is expected to be converted into the recently approved National Snake Bite and Medical Centre, Kaltungo.

Gombe to Host Additional Military Formations

The council also welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of additional military formations in Gombe State.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Adamu Dishi Kupto, said the state would 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 said the new formations would strengthen security operations in Gombe and the wider sub-region.

Kupto added that Governor Yahaya had approved temporary sites for the formations and provided logistical support to facilitate their immediate take-off.

The latest Executive Council decisions cover retirees’ welfare, education, road infrastructure, urban development, industrialisation, healthcare and security.

I can also provide 10 concise headlines highlighting the N10.32bn gratuity approval.