Gombe approves N16bn roads, N1.4bn solar street lights
August 8, 2026 3:36 am
Gombe State Governor, Yahaya
The Gombe State Executive Council has approved over N1.4bn for the installation of solar-powered street lights along major roads in Gombe metropolis, as part of efforts to improve visibility, security and urban infrastructure in the state.
The approvals were among the decisions reached at the council’s 55th meeting, presided over by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya.
Briefing journalists after the meeting on Friday, the state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Saidu Fawu, said the council ratified the procurement and installation of 198 solar-powered street lights along the four-kilometre road corridor from the Hajj Camp to the Brigadier Zakari Maimalari International Airport, including the airport’s internal roads.
He said the project was awarded at the cost of N400.467m.
Fawu said, “The council ratified the procurement and installation of 198 solar-powered street lights along the four-kilometre road corridor from the Hajj Camp to the Brigadier Zakari Maimalari International Airport, including the airport’s internal roads.”
He added 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 around the city centre was also approved.
“The contract, valued at N1,087,475,891, was awarded to Mega Tech Consult Nigeria Limited,” the commissioner stated.
According to him, the projects were designed to improve lighting along strategic routes and contribute to safer and more accessible roads within the state capital.
Airport gets N839m facelift
The council also approved N839.471m for the renovation and furnishing of facilities at the Brigadier Zakari Maimalari International Airport.
Fawu said the project would include the rehabilitation of critical airport infrastructure and the repair and restoration of the airport’s fire service truck.
He said, “The project includes the rehabilitation of critical airport infrastructure as well as the repair and restoration of the airport’s fire service truck to improve operational efficiency, strengthen emergency response capability and ensure compliance with aviation safety standards.”
The council further approved N414.345m for the repair of washouts caused by recent heavy rainfall at the airport.
The state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, disclosed that the intervention became necessary following damage caused by heavy rainfall.
He said the government was committed to maintaining critical infrastructure and ensuring that facilities serving the state remained functional.
N16bn approved for Billiri, Kaltungo roads
In another major decision, the council approved over N16bn for township roads in Billiri and Kaltungo Local Government Areas.
Kallamu said N7.295bn was approved for the construction of Kaltungo Township Road, while N8.752bn was approved for Billiri Township Road.
Explaining the reason for the fresh approvals, he said the two projects had initially been awarded in 2022 but were stalled by compensation-related issues.
“The projects had initially been awarded in 2022 but could not commence due to issues relating to compensation,” Kallamu said.
He explained that the revised approvals took into account prevailing market realities and would allow the projects to commence.
“The fresh approvals reflect prevailing market realities and will pave the way for the immediate execution of the projects,” he added.
The commissioner also announced the approval of N891.175m for the grading, surfacing and asphalting of the Mararaban Kuri-Kuri Town Road.
Gombe adopts GOBEST education reform
The council also adopted the Gombe Basic Education and Skills Transformation, GOBEST, initiative as part of its efforts to reposition basic and technical education in the state.
The state Commissioner for Education, Dr Aishatu Maigari, said the decision followed consideration of the report of the Task Force Committee on the Reforms and Revitalisation of Basic and Technical Education in Gombe State.
She said the committee was inaugurated by Governor Yahaya on November 17, 2025.
Maigari said, “One of the key recommendations adopted by the council as an actionable strategy is the Gombe Basic Education and Skills Transformation initiative.”
She described GOBEST as a flagship and legacy programme of the administration aimed at repositioning basic and technical education and improving learning outcomes.
The council also approved N998.004m for the procurement of 22,000 mattresses and beddings for boarding schools across the state.
According to Maigari, the intervention was necessary to provide students with a more conducive learning environment.
She said, “The approval became necessary to provide a more conducive learning environment for students in the state’s mega schools and other boarding institutions.”
Council adopts youth policy
The council also adopted the Gombe State Strategic Youth Policy to provide a framework for youth development across the state.
The state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Micah Hamman, said the policy was designed to consolidate government investments in young people and prepare them for productive participation in society.
Hamman said, “With over 60 per cent of Gombe State’s population comprising young people, the present administration has consistently prioritised youth-focused programmes.”
He explained that the policy was aligned with the state’s 10-year development plan and would address youth unemployment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, capacity building and other human capital development initiatives.
“The new policy would consolidate existing investments to empower young people and prepare them for productive participation in society,” he said.
The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Waziri, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing the policy.
Waziri said, “The policy will significantly address the challenges hindering youth development in Gombe State while sustaining and consolidating the achievements already recorded in the sector.”
200,000 fertiliser bags distributed
The council also 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.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Waziri Muhammad, said about 80 per cent of the fertiliser had already been distributed across the state’s 11 Local Government Areas.
He said, “About 80 per cent of the fertiliser has already been distributed to the eleven Local Government Areas to ensure timely access by farmers at the grassroots.”
Muhammad explained that the remaining allocation would be distributed to large-scale farmers, medium-scale farmers, registered farmer groups, associations and other eligible beneficiaries under the existing distribution framework.
He said the intervention was part of the administration’s efforts to increase agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.
“Agriculture remains one of the administration’s priority sectors, and this intervention is designed to increase productivity and support farmers during the current farming season,” he said.
Gov Yahaya’s administration targets consolidation
The Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Culture, Moses Kyari, said the various approvals demonstrated the administration’s determination to consolidate its development agenda despite being in the final phase of its tenure.
Kyari said the projects and policies approved by the council cut across infrastructure, education, youth development and agriculture.
He said, “The approvals are in line with Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to consolidating the developmental gains recorded since the inception of his administration.”
According to him, the government would continue to pursue projects and policies capable of strengthening public infrastructure, improving human capital development and supporting economic activities across Gombe State.
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