Tension over Gombe development zone: Govt, residents agree to suspend new constructions

Residents of Sir Ahmadu Bello Quarters, new GRA extension in Gombe metropolis have forced the state government to stop forthwith, new constructions to allow the creation of proper layouts as agreed between them and the Gombe State task force on Special Capital Development Zone.

Making the disclosure while Briefing Journalists shortly after a meeting with the residents, Gombe State Commissioner of Information and Culture, Mr Julius Ishaya said that the directive followed an agreement reached with the residents that the area will be transformed from a customary titled area to a State Government titled layout.

It will be recalled that Before now, tension had been mounting in the area over suspicion that Government’s action was to forcefully take over their lands according to a leader in the community, Malam Shuaibu Gidado.

Julius Ishaya said that “we have asked the residents to cooperate knowing fully well that Government does not have any intention to take over anybody’s land but rather want to improve and add value to what we have here said, ” We are asking the people to comply so that we are not pushed to the point of enforcing compliance”.

He added that at the end of the integration, people will have access to roads, provision of different kinds of services and most importantly, the people will have titles that will serve as collateral for whatever they want to use it for.

He said that “Government is working for the good of the people instead of the negative narrative we have out there. As we try to integrate this customary title, if it becomes necessary that a structure will give way, the person will be entitled to not only compensation but adequate compensation.”

Gombe State Government had inaugurated the Task Force on Gombe Special Capital Development Zone under the chairmanship of the State Deputy Governor, Manasseh Daniel Jatau, to guide, direct and control physical development within the zone as well as monitor and ensure compliance with its development guidelines.

However, the Commissioner during the briefing said “Because of the plans for the Gombe Special Capital Development Zone, the task force is in the process of integrating and incorporating this customary title into a layout knowing that this customary title is right in the centre of the city now.”

He said, “the task force is about to embark on the census of the structures to have what is currently existing and also say with a strong voice that all forms of new construction should be suspended immediately.

” This will give the task force the opportunity to carry out the census of what is existing and then our technical people will begin the process of integration of this customary title into the Government layout so that this place can have all the necessary requirements that a layout should have,” he stressed.

However, representative of the community, Babayo Gidado, who had had several dialogues with the committee, said that they agreed with the directive of suspending construction pending when the layout will begin.

What seems to be the bone of contention to the residents is when the layout is expected to begin. Though the Government said soon, that seems to be their disagreement.

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