Gombe Develops State With 26 Billion Naira Grant in Four Years -Commissioner

The Gombe State Government says it has spent 26 billion naira grant on the infrastructural development of the state in the first four-year tenure of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

The Commissioners of Finance, Mr. Muhammad Gambo Magaji told journalists after the inaugural session of the first State Executive Council meeting in Gombe, presided over by Governor Yahaya, that
the grant was provided by the World Bank and other development partners.

Mr. Magaji said the 26 billion naira grant received in Governor Yahaya’s first tenure was made possible through the transparent and prudent spending of the state which attracted the grants, through the Fiscal Sustainability, Transparency and Accountability of Nigerian States, SFTAS, which were in turn used in the execution of the numerous projects across the state.

He said through the reforms, the state was able to win four SFTAS awards and achieved a lot.
“It means that we have become more transparent, accountable and whatever we are doing is out in the public for people to see and we are not hiding any skeleton. We have initiated reforms and abided by them. Our account books are there for everyone to see according to the national chart of accounts,” said Mr. Magaji.

He said this was done through publishing the state government’s annual accounts, saying, “Our budgets are in order and also published on time and regularly for everyone to see.” 

Paying contractors
The Gombe State Finance Commissioner said the SFTAS requirements was adopted, which ensured that the state cleared up its arrears while paying contractors on time, essentially helping the state government to continue moving up in the transparency index.

“We were also able to reform a lot of areas in governance and we achieved a lot making Gombe the first in ease of doing business, ranking Gombe in the transparency index from 36 to number seven,” said Mr. Magaji.

He said the projection of the state government was to go forward and concentrate its efforts in attracting more investments into the state to establish industries, which would in turn create jobs for youths in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Ngodi, said Governor Yahaya initiated reforms that propelled the state to greater heights.

Professor Njodi said also said it was necessary to sustain the achievements recorded in the last four years, which was attained through the collective efforts of all executive members.

He, therefore, charged the newly sworn in commissioners to work as a team, so as to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

Lateefah Ibrahim