The Gombe State Government, in partnership with several Local Government Areas, has approved over N2 billion for a new wave of rural development and infrastructure projects chief among them, solar streetlight installations, market upgrades, and agricultural support.
This latest investment, announced Tuesday by Mr. Mahmood Yusuf, Director-General of the Gombe State Joint Project Development Agency, follows a Joint Project Council meeting in Gombe. The intervention is part of the state’s wider effort to bolster security, rural commerce, and social services across underserved communities.
Rural Projects to Spark Local Growth
Among the projects greenlit is the upgrade of the Kaltoma market in Billiri LGA, now redesigned to become a one-storey structure at a revised cost of N213 million a move expected to attract more vendors, stimulate trade, and improve revenue in the area.
Yusuf further revealed the approval of solar-powered streetlights in six Nafada communities, worth N681.4 million, and additional street lighting across newly constructed roads in Tumfure, Akko LGA, estimated at N1.143 billion. These installations, he said, will improve night-time security, ease movement, and boost nighttime economic activity.
In Yamaltu Deba LGA, additional works at the National Agricultural Land Development Agency (NALDA) have also been approved to enhance agricultural capacity and rural productivity.
“These projects are not just about infrastructure; they are about creating a better quality of life safer streets, stronger agriculture, and greater access to economic opportunities,” Yusuf noted.
₦67 Million Saved from Ghost Worker Clean-up
Separately, Dr. Ahmed Wali, Chairman of Kwami Local Government Area and head of the state’s Verification Committee, disclosed that a comprehensive staff audit conducted across all 11 LGAs in the state resulted in N67 million in savings for April alone.
According to Wali, 686 workers failed to appear before the verification panel, prompting a suspension of their salaries saving the state N31 million. Additionally, 265 names of deceased or retired staff still on payroll were removed, yielding another N36 million in monthly savings.
“This exercise is not to witch-hunt anyone but to weed out ghost workers, eliminate fraud, and promote an efficient civil service,” Wali emphasized.
He added that the verification process is ongoing and remains a priority for Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration in ensuring accountability and value for public funds.
Broader Development Agenda
This announcement comes on the back of earlier approvals by the Gombe State Executive Council, including:
- N1.15 billion in March for infrastructure and solar lighting across three LGAs.
- N19.97 billion for large-scale development projects focused on industry, water, education, and environmental resilience.
- N2.14 billion set aside as compensation for residents affected by the World Bank-supported ACRESaL erosion control initiative, aimed at tackling ecological challenges.
- N2.1 billion approved for the maintenance of the Gombe Regional Water Project, ensuring consistent water supply to the metropolis and adjoining communities.
Analysis: Gombe’s Development Model
Gombe’s approach to integrated rural development prioritizing renewable energy, market infrastructure, water, and transparency sets a strong example for northern states grappling with similar development gaps. The combination of physical infrastructure and fiscal accountability sends a signal of intent: building trust while building roads.
While implementation timelines and contractor transparency remain to be seen, the scale of funding and inter-LGA coordination reflect a maturing governance model in Gombe.
Looking Ahead
With Nigeria’s broader push towards energy transition and digital governance, Gombe’s solar lighting projects could potentially qualify for climate finance if paired with robust environmental reporting. Furthermore, the ghost worker verification template, if digitalized, could serve as a model for other states struggling with payroll fraud.
As the state moves forward with these projects, all eyes will be on how effectively the funds are managed, how soon communities begin to see tangible benefits, and whether the fiscal savings from civil service reform are reallocated into public services.
