Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has described the 25 years existence of Gombe State since it’s creation, as a momentous journey with deep sense of pride and joy.
Delivering his Silver Jubilee Speech in Gombe, Governor Yahaya said the creation of Gombe State on October 1, 1996, from Bauchi State, heralded a new dawn of hope.
He urged the people of Gombe State to reflect with pride on its history and appreciate the struggles, sacrifices and challenges faced by the leaders and founding fathers to actualise the collective dream of building a vibrant state at the centre of the North-East.
Going down memory lane, the Gombe State Governor highlighted the contributions of previous governments in the state, from the first military administrator, Group Captain Joseph Orji, to Lieutenant Colonel Inuwa Bawa, to the first Civilian Governor, Mr. Abubakar Habu Hashidu, to Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje and Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, before he took over the mantle of leadership in 2019.
Governor Yahaya commended each of the past leaders for their contributions, especially in consolidating on the gains established by those they inherited from.
“No doubt the greatest legacy our founding fathers left for us from their struggle for state creation is the legacy of unity and sacrifice which we continue to uphold till today, thereby making our state one of the most peaceful and socially cohesive states in the country. Our ability to maintain unity in the midst of diversity is without doubt our greatest source of strength; it is the catalyst that keeps us going, making us one of the fastest developing states in the country, despite the relatively lean financial resources available to the state,” Governor Yahaya said.
He said since coming to office on the May 29, 2019, he had strived to consolidate the achievements of all the past administrations, as well by taking bold steps to confront the myriad of challenges facing the state.
Presently, he said his administration was pursuing a rapid and wide-ranging development by addressing long-standing infrastructure deficits, through aggressive spending on roads, hospitals and healthcare facilities, schools, water projects, and urban renewal.
“We have sustained our commitment to promoting all-inclusive growth and development by redressing the neglect of rural communities and low-income neighbourhoods in the provision of ‘dividends of democracy,”said Governor Yahaya.
The Gombe State Governor said his administration had now introduced and implemented bold public sector reforms, such as the treasury single account and a strong fiscal responsibility regime, while ensuring the minimisation of overhead costs.
He said following the successes recorded in the implementation of the reforms within the last two years, about 370 kilometres of road networks were constructed across the state under the ambitious network 11-100 initiative.
Governor Yahaya also said 600 classrooms in primary and secondary schools in all the 11 local government areas had been constructed and renovated and equipped, while it had upgraded 5 legacy secondary schools in GGSSS Doma, GSSS Gombe, GSSS Kaltungo, GSS Dukku and GCSS Dadin Kowa.
He said his administration had repositioned the state’s Internal Revenue Service to improve the Internally Generated Revenue by 25% in the 2020 fiscal year and by 62% in the first quarter of 2021.
Governor Yahaya said the move became necessary in a bid to achieve fiscal sustainability in the wake of dwindling allocation to the state from the federation account as well as agitations for resource control.
Similarly, the governor said he had awarded contract for the construction of the first phase of the 1,000ha Muhammadu Buhari industrial park in Dadin Kowa, as well as signed MOUs with the NNPC on a 600 millon dollar worth of biofuel project in Kupto-Malleri axis of Funakaye and Kwami LGAs; Rift Oil Ltd. on oil and gas exploitation in the state; and Madugu Cement Company Ltd. for the establishment of five million metric tonnes cement factory in Akko and Yamaltu-Deba LGAs.
“Discussions have reached an advanced stage with interested investors and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, with a view to harnessing the vast economic potentials of Balanga and Cham Dams in Balanga LGA,” Governor Yahaya said.
He said when finalised, the industrial development efforts would open the state’s economy to capital inflow and rapid industrialisation with attendant benefits of wealth and job creation, increase in revenue generation, as well as general economic growth and prosperity.
In the health sector, Governor Yahaya said his administration had provided at least one functional Primary Healthcare Centre in each of the 114 wards of the state, to give 24 hours health service to the people.
He said the Gombe Specialist Hospital had been upgraded to a modern health facility, commenced the upgrade of General Hospitals in Bajoga and Kaltungo, as well as the construction of a brand-new General Hospital in Kumo.
The Gombe State Governor said to sustain all the gains of his administration and future efforts in a coordinated manner, the 10-year development plan titled the Development Agenda for Gombe State 2021-2030, DEVAGOM, had been developed to transform the state and set it on the path of long-term growth and sustainable development.
He lauded traditional and religious leaders in the state, who continue to work day-and-night to ensure the maintenance of peace and order within their tolerant, united communities, while acknowledging the sacrifices of the people of Gombe State through the historic journey to statehood.
The Gombe State Governor pledged his administration’s continued resolve to remain focused and committed to the lofty ideals of the founding fathers.
