Gombe gives green light to N16 billion road projects, N1.4 billion solar-powered street lighting initiative

The Gombe State Executive Council has given the green light to a massive N1.4bn investment in solar-powered street lights, aiming to boost visibility, security, and urban infrastructure across major roads in Gombe metropolis.

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This key decision was reached during the council's 55th meeting, which was chaired by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, and also included the approval of various development projects.

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Briefing journalists on the outcomes of the meeting, the state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Saidu Fawu, revealed that the council had ratified the procurement and installation of 198 solar-powered street lights along a four-kilometre stretch from the Hajj Camp to the Brigadier Zakari Maimalari International Airport, at a cost of N400.467m.

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Fawu also disclosed that another project, involving the installation of double-arm solar-powered street lights along the Ashaka Junction–Federal College of Education axis and adjoining roads, was approved at a contract value of N1,087,475,891, which was awarded to Mega Tech Consult Nigeria Limited.

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According to Fawu, these projects are designed to enhance lighting along strategic routes, contributing to safer and more accessible roads within the state capital.

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The Brigadier Zakari Maimalari International Airport is set to receive a significant facelift, with the council approving N839.471m for the renovation and furnishing of its facilities.

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The state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development explained that this project would encompass the rehabilitation of critical airport infrastructure and the repair and restoration of the airport's fire service truck, aimed at improving operational efficiency and strengthening emergency response capabilities.

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An additional N414.345m was approved for the repair of washouts caused by recent heavy rainfall at the airport, with the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, stressing that the intervention was necessary to maintain critical infrastructure.

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In a major development, the council approved over N16bn for the construction of township roads in Billiri and Kaltungo Local Government Areas, with N7.295bn allocated for the Kaltungo Township Road and N8.752bn for the Billiri Township Road.

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According to Kallamu, these projects were initially awarded in 2022 but were stalled due to compensation-related issues, and the revised approvals take into account prevailing market realities, paving the way for their immediate execution.

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The council also gave the nod to N891.175m for the grading, surfacing, and asphalting of the Mararaban Kuri-Kuri Town Road, as part of its efforts to improve the state's road network.

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The Gombe State Executive Council has adopted the Gombe Basic Education and Skills Transformation, GOBEST, initiative, aimed at repositioning basic and technical education in the state.

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State Commissioner for Education, Dr Aishatu Maigari, explained that the decision followed the consideration of a report by the Task Force Committee on the Reforms and Revitalisation of Basic and Technical Education in Gombe State, which was inaugurated by Governor Yahaya on November 17, 2025.

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Maigari described GOBEST as a flagship programme of the administration, designed to improve learning outcomes and reposition basic and technical education in the state.

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The council also approved N998.004m for the procurement of 22,000 mattresses and beddings for boarding schools across the state, aimed at providing students with a more conducive learning environment.

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The Gombe State Strategic Youth Policy has been adopted by the council, providing a framework for youth development across the state, with the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Micah Hamman, explaining that the policy is designed to consolidate government investments in young people.

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Hamman stated that the policy is aligned with the state's 10-year development plan and will address youth unemployment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and other human capital development initiatives.

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The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Waziri, reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to implementing the policy, which will significantly address the challenges hindering youth development in Gombe State.

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The council reviewed arrangements for the distribution of 200,000 bags of high-quality fertiliser procured by the state government to support farmers during the current farming season.

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Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Waziri Muhammad, revealed that about 80 per cent of the fertiliser had already been distributed across the state's 11 Local Government Areas, with the remaining allocation to be distributed to large-scale farmers, medium-scale farmers, and other eligible beneficiaries.

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Muhammad explained that the intervention is part of the administration's efforts to increase agricultural productivity and strengthen food security, with agriculture remaining one of the priority sectors of the administration.

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According to the Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Culture, Moses Kyari, the various approvals demonstrate the administration's determination to consolidate its development agenda despite being in the final phase of its tenure.

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Kyari stated that the projects and policies approved by the council cut across infrastructure, education, youth development, and agriculture, and are in line with Governor Inuwa Yahaya's commitment to consolidating the developmental gains recorded since the inception of his administration.