Gombe Assembly Approves N617.95bn Budget For 2026 Fiscal Year

The Gombe State House of Assembly has approved a total budget of N617,953,083,000 for the 2026 fiscal year, following the recommendation of its Appropriation Committee.

Presenting the committee’s report, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Hon. Aliyu Baba Manu, who led an eight-member committee, said the approved sum represents the proposed budget size for the state in the 2026 fiscal year.

It would be recalled that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had earlier presented a budget proposal of N535,691,983,000 to the House for consideration and approval.

According to the committee, the approved budget reflects an increase of N82,261,100,000 over the executive proposal, with a projected healthy closing balance of N58,931,158,204.

The House subsequently adopted the committee’s recommendation and formally approved N617,953,083,000 as the total budget size for Gombe State for the 2026 fiscal year.

In addition, the committee recommended that the revenue of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources be fully captured in the state’s Revenue Law.

This, it noted, would enable the ministry to effectively harness and generate increased revenue for the state.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya Targets Over 500 Beneficiaries with Direct School Renovation Contracts

In furtherance of his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and grassroots empowerment, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has awarded direct contracts to over 150 indigenes of Gombe State for the renovation and construction of critical facilities in public schools across the state.

The contracts, which span all 11 local government areas, were formally presented to beneficiaries at a ceremony held in Gombe.

Speaking at the event, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Inuwa Kari, said the initiative was deliberately designed to empower citizens at the grassroots while deepening community participation in governance.

He explained that beneficiaries were selected based on their commitment and service their communities, noting that many had played key roles in the APC’s successes during the 2019 and 2023 general elections.

“Most of the beneficiaries are stakeholders who worked tirelessly for the success of the present administration and APC in the last two general elections.

This initiative is part of our effort to reward loyalty, promote community service and strengthen grassroots engagement,” he said.

The Chief of Staff added that the contracts were not only meant to create economic opportunities for the beneficiaries, but also to enable them to contribute directly to the development of their communities.

He assured that 50 per cent of the contract sums would be released as mobilisation to ensure the immediate commencement of work, while cautioning contractors against compromising quality.

“Governor Inuwa Yahaya will not tolerate substandard execution. All projects must meet required standards,” he warned.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Donor and Development Partners Coordination, Dr Ishiyaku Ibrahim Babayo, disclosed that the projects include the construction and renovation of classrooms, public toilets and boreholes in public schools across the state.

Dr Babayo explained that while about 500 individuals would benefit directly from the contracts, over 500 public schools across the 11 local government areas would benefit from the intervention.

According to him, the initiative reflects the administration’s belief that community-based projects are best executed by members of the communities themselves, as this enhances ownership, accountability and sustainability.

He further revealed that consultants have been engaged to supervise the projects in each of the three senatorial zones to ensure strict compliance with quality standards and contract specifications. He assured that funds for the projects are readily available and will be released promptly, urging beneficiaries to adhere strictly to contract terms in line with World Bank procurement and implementation guidelines.

In his remarks, the Secretary of the Gombe State APC, Abubakar S. Goro, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for what he described as exemplary leadership, noting that the Governor has consistently delivered dividends of democracy while honouring commitments to party faithful and the wider public.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mallam Abubakar Ahmed Kawuwa, JP, alongside Audu Kubu, expressed appreciation to the Governor for the opportunity to serve their communities.

They pledged to execute the projects strictly according to specifications and complete them within the stipulated timelines.