*Breaks decades- long jinx
*Residents warned against encroachment of spaces, violation of land laws
By KATO P. LADAN, Kaduna
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON has flagged-off payment of compensation to property owners affected by the construction of road network in Tumfure, a suburb of Gombe metropolis.
During the ceremony, the Governor stressed his administration’s commitment to enhancing the infrastructural, social, and economic well-being of the people, contrasting it with past administrations’ failure to provide essential amenities to the area.
According to a statement signed by the Director-General (Press Affairs) Government House Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, made available today, he revealed that the road project would cover over 11 kilometers in both the northern and southern parts of Tumfure, forming part of the larger Network 11-100 project.
He decried the inability of previous administrations in the State to provide the essential amenities to the community, saying the new development is a departure from the previous political ill will.
Despite the challenges posed by the devaluation of the naira, Governor Inuwa Yahaya reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the Tumfure road project on time.
“This project forms part of our Network 11-100 project that we are doing in part of Akko Local Government and will cover 11 kilometres in this vicinity as done on several others. The completion period for this project is nine months, and we have already mobilised the contractor to site with 30 percent of the total sum so there is no cause to complain”.
He emphasized his moral obligation to serve all people impartially, regardless of their political affiliations, highlighting the need for Nigeria to adopt comprehensive town planning reforms similar to those in advanced countries.
“We must learn from the development plan and strategies of some advanced countries across the world who introduce far-reaching town planning reforms backed by stringent laws in order to ensure seemless urban and regional growth”.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya also underscored the importance of agencies like the Gombe State Urban Development Authority (GOSUPDA) and Gombe Geographic Information System (GOGIS) in promoting orderly urban planning and efficient land administration.
He warned against the misuse of land, stating that his administration would enforce strict regulations through empowered agencies like GOSUPDA and GOGIS.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya reminded the people that as the custodian of all lands in the State, the government reserves the right to confiscate any land deemed to have contravened the law in its usage and application.
The Governor warned that going forward, his administration will not condone any arbitrary use and abuse of land as agencies such as GOSUPDA and GOGIS have been empowered by law to clamp down on any offender no matter how highly placed.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Compensation Payment, Muhammad Gambo Magaji commended the Governor for his decisive leadership and political will towards ensuring that the vast majority of communities in the State are connected with road networks.
Magaji who doubles as the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, also praised the Governor for reviewing the compensation payments by 100 percent, assuring that his committee will ensure justice to all the affected property owners.
The Commissioner announced a two-week grace period to allow property owners who have received compensation to pack their belongings to pave the way for the commencement of work in earnest.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Works and Transport, Engr Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, warned property owners affected by the Tumfure road network not to encroach on the spaces left by the side of the road, explaining that such will be utilized for installing street lights and laying water pipes.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for fulfilling his campaign promise to the people of Tumfure after many years of unfulfilled promises.
Earlier the Shettima of Gombe and Overseeing Senior District Head of Gombe, had while congratulating Governor Inuwa Yahaya for daring where others failed, called on the communities in the State to always work with agencies like GOSUPDA and GOGIS for a free flow urban planning and development.
The Chairman of Akko Local Government Council and the District Head of Tumfure expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Governor for the road project and numerous other developmental initiatives he has brought to the area.
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