The Gombe State House of Assembly has passed into law the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) Establishment Bill, 2025, effectively paving the way for the creation of thirteen (13) new LCDAs carved out from the existing eleven (11) Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.
The bill, which seeks to deepen grassroots governance and improve service delivery across all communities in Gombe, was passed following the adoption of the report of the House Standing Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during plenary.
Presenting the report on behalf of the committee, Hon. Musa Buba, Chairman of the Committee and Member representing Balanga North Constituency, noted that the House had, at its sitting on Monday, August 11, 2025, received an Executive Bill submitted by the State Government, proposing the establishment of new LCDAs to enhance participatory democracy and bring governance closer to the people.
“The objective of the bill is to strengthen the machinery of local governance, enhance responsiveness to citizens’ needs and promote administrative efficiency at the grassroots,” Hon. Musa Buba stated.
In line with legislative due process and the principles of stakeholder engagement, the Committee convened a one-day public hearing on Saturday, August 16, 2025, which witnessed robust participation from a wide array of stakeholders.
Hon. Buba revealed that the Committee received numerous oral and written submissions, which were carefully reviewed and incorporated into the final report through strategic amendments.
The Committee’s recommendations provide for a phased implementation plan, complete with a clear operational framework, detailed staffing structures, and defined budgetary allocations to ensure the newly created LCDAs begin operation with maximum efficiency and accountability.
Following a comprehensive review and debate, the House unanimously adopted the committee’s report, after which the bill was read for the third time and formally passed into law.
