Gombe to begin urban expansion programme

Gombe State Government has commenced urban development expansion of Gombe metropolis through the construction of more houses for residents, educational institutions and access roads.

The disclosure was made by the Chairman of the Committee on Land Compensation who is the Commissioner of Finance, Muhammad Gambo Magaji during an assessment tour of the areas earmarked for compensation of the landowners.

Observers see it as another stage of development for Gombe State as it undertakes an urban expansion programme of the state capital aimed at bringing development to the areas that were considered suburbs of the city.

The planned urban upgrade and expansion begins with a tour of all the affected areas earmarked for demolition with consultations with the persons affected.

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The areas affected cover over 207 hectares of land of which the State Government intends to develop after compensation of the landowners to the tune of N264 million.

It will be recalled that the Compensation Committee was set up by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to look into settling the compensation on lands acquired by the past administrations for development and expansion of Gombe metropolis.

The committee took a tour of the 207 hectares of the area known as GDP 34 taken over by the previous administration in 2015 for development purposes.

It would also be recalled that Governor Inuwa Yahaya had graciously revalidated the approval of 246m given by the past administration for the payment of 192 individuals listed for compensation. This is to ease the suffering of those who lost their lands and farmland to government without been compensated.

The payment exercise is expected to commence as soon the committee completes its assessment exercise.