Gombe approves N16bn roads, N1.4bn solar street lights

The Gombe State Executive Council has greenlit significant infrastructure projects, approving over N1.4 billion for the installation of solar-powered street lights and N16 billion for township roads in Billiri and Kaltungo Local Government Areas. These decisions, made during the council's 55th meeting presided over by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, aim to enhance urban infrastructure, visibility, and security within the state.

Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Saidu Fawu, detailed the solar street light project, which involves procuring and installing 198 solar-powered lights along a four-kilometer stretch from the Hajj Camp to the Brigadier Zakari Maimalari International Airport, including the airport's internal roads. This segment of the project is valued at N400.467 million. An additional project will see double-arm solar-powered street lights installed along the Ashaka Junction–Federal College of Education axis and surrounding city center roads, a contract awarded to Mega Tech Consult Nigeria Limited for N1,087,475,891.

These lighting projects are intended to improve illumination on strategic routes, contributing to safer and more accessible roads in the state capital. In parallel, the council approved N839.471 million for the renovation and furnishing of facilities at the Brigadier Zakari Maimalari International Airport. This includes rehabilitating critical infrastructure and repairing the airport's fire service truck to bolster operational efficiency and emergency response capabilities, ensuring compliance with aviation safety standards.

Furthermore, N414.345 million has been allocated for repairing washouts caused by recent heavy rainfall at the airport. Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, highlighted the necessity of this intervention due to the damage sustained. He affirmed the government's commitment to maintaining critical infrastructure and ensuring the functionality of state facilities.

The council also made substantial allocations for road development, approving over N16 billion for township roads. Specifically, N7.295 billion is designated for the construction of Kaltungo Township Road, and N8.752 billion for Billiri Township Road. These approvals follow initial contract awards for these projects.