Gombe SEC approves funds for erosion control compensation, streetlights

The Gombe State Executive Council has approved the sum of 97 million, 413 thousand 736 naira for the compensation of 120 people, whose lands are being used for the erosion control project in the Gombe State University-Malam-Inna -Kaga-Rawal road.

Speaking with journalists soon after the meeting in Gombe, the Commissioner of Information and Culture, Mr. Ibrahim Alhassan Kwami, said those to be compensated were people whose lands and property are along the erosion sites and had to be used for the erosion control project

It will be recalled that the project was awarded in December last year to address severe Gully Erosion problems in the short term, reduce vulnerability to soil erosion and climate variability in the medium term, such as the Aforestation of the state Government.

Consequently, the project has affected 120 people, who, according to the Commissioner of Environment and Forest Resources, Dr. Hussaina Danjuma Goje, the resettlement plan is based on the World Bank Guideline, for the compensation for economic trees, businesses and individuals residing 5 metres on both sides of the gully areas.

“The Compensation Committee, with the State Government, the Ministry of Environment, the NEWMAP will come together and embark on this journey to ensure that all individuals are paid adequately, before the contractor, Triacta Nigeria Limited, embarks on this project in the community,” Dr. Goje said.

Solar Streetlight project

In another development, the Gombe State Executive Council also approved the installation of 71 kilometres of solar streetlights at the cost of 3. 24 billion naira.

The Commissioner of Works and Transport, Mr Abubakar Bappah, said the company/contractor handling the installation would operate the project for five years, after which the company would hand over the project to those who would be trained within the five years.

Mr. Bappah said the previous streetlights used generators, which was very expensive, hence the move to opt for the cheaper alternative, which is solar.

He said the old contract, which was at the cost of 1.14 billion naira, was contracted when the cost of diesel was not high, but that if it was renewed; the cost would be twice by next year, because of the high cost of the fuel and the increase in the price of electrical materials.

According to him, the project is expected to last for three months to complete, before which some people in the state would be trained in different skills, especially how they could operate the streetlights after the contractors leave at the expiration of the contract.