The Gombe State Government has submitted a bill to the State House of Assembly to create 13 new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to strengthen grassroots governance and service delivery.
According to a statement issued by his general manager, press affairs, Isma’il Uba Misilli, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s proposal aims to bring the administration closer to the people, particularly those in rural and underserved communities.
The LCDAs will function as administrative subdivisions of existing local government areas, addressing key needs in security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social services.
Governor Yahaya said the initiative is part of his administration’s commitment to inclusive and participatory democracy. He noted that the councils would collaborate closely with traditional institutions and community leaders to foster peace and tackle emerging security challenges per the Gombe State Chieftaincy Law (as amended).
The 13 proposed LCDAs and their headquarters include Akko North (Amada), Akko West (Pindiga), Balanga South (Bambam), Billiri West (Tal), Dukku North (Malala), Funakaye South (Tongo), Gombe South (Bolari), Kaltungo East (Wange), Kwami West (Bojude), Nafada West (Birin Fulani), Pero-Chonge (Filiya), Yamaltu East (Hinna), and Yamaltu West (Zambuk).
The bill provides for establishing Interim Management Committees to oversee operations in each LCDA pending the conduct of substantive local elections. The reform will be rolled out in phases, with clear operational frameworks, staffing structures, and budgetary allocations to guarantee efficiency.
The governor urged the House of Assembly to give the bill urgent and favourable consideration. He called on citizens to support what he described as a “visionary step” towards making Gombe a model of grassroots-driven development in Nigeria.
