The 30th Session of the Executive Council has approved an update of the Gombe Master plan and the return of the state capital to its original plan.
The Commissioner of Information, Mr. Meshack Audu Lauco, told journalists in Gombe after the meeting, which was chaired by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya that the move became necessary because of the violation of the Gombe Metropolis Master Plan by the residents.
Mr. Lauco, said the first time the update was done was during the government of Governor Abubakar Habu Hashidu.
He said the alteration made to the Master plan of the Gombe Metropolis was affecting the government’s intervention in infrastructural developments like road construction and water projects among others.
According to him, the alteration is affecting all areas of development in the state, hence the need for the government to look into the issue, saying the task has been given to Savanah Landers for completion within 16 weeks.
Meanwhile, the Gombe state Executive Council has approved the sum of 1 billion, 805 million, 52 thousand 475 naira 50 kobo for the payment of compensation to property owners affected by road construction in Kaltungo, Bajoga, Gombe, Tumfure and Ashaka Townships.
The Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr Usman Jafun Biri, urged land owners to always seek the approval of constituted authorities before erecting structures.
According to him, this will prevent the waste of funds on compensation, which should be used for the construction of more roads to serve the interest of the people.
The 30th session of the Gombe State Executive Council meeting also approved the contract for additional works at the new Kumo General Hospital at the cost of 1 billion, 29 million, 2 thousand 232 naira 14 kobo, with a completion period of 14 weeks.
Also speaking on approvals under the purview of his Ministry, the Commissioner of Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, explained that Executive Council approved the upward review of the contract sum for the construction of the School of Nursing and Midwifery to the tune of Five Hundred and Twenty-Three Million, three hundred and Eighteen Thousand, five hundred and sixty-six naira.
Equally approved was the sum of 1 billion and 25 Million Naira for additional work at the Kumo General Hospital.
The Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Idris Abdullahi said the additional works include the construction of a shopping mall consisting of 20 shops to serve as a revenue-generating base for the Hospital, a Mosque, electrical and mechanical works, as well as the elevation of the fence at the facility among others.
Additionally, the Gombe State Executive Council approved the upward review of the contract for the construction of the new College of Nursing and Midwifery, Gombe by 523 million, 318 thousand 566 naira, 56 kobo, to be completed within 14 weeks.
The Commissioner of Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, said the review of the initial contract sum of One Billion, Fifty Million Naira became necessary due to the astronomical rise in the prices of construction materials at both the local and international markets.
He said a consultant had been appointed and given the task, which was to be completed in 12 weeks.
The council also approved the procurement of 5, 000 metric tons of fertilizer, MPK 2020 for the 2023 farming season at the cost of 2 billion 837 million, 500 thousand naira only.
It also approved the sum of 810 million as counterpart contributions of Gombe State to donor partners.
