The Gombe State Executive Council has approved the sum of N2,421,155,220 as compensation packages for business owners adjacent to the Bauchi motor park as part of measures to pave the way for the construction of key state institutions, including the ultra-modern State Secretariat, House of Assembly, and High Court complexes.
The announcement was made by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Zubair Muhammad Umar, after the 40th State Executive Council meeting chaired by the State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Thursday.
The Attorney General highlighted the administration’s decision to approve the open market value of the properties, which exceeds the initial sale value.
He explained that in the magnanimity of the present administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, the State Executive Council approved the open market value of the properties which stands at over N2.4 billion against the first sale value which stood at a little above N1.6 billion.
According to him, “This decision reflects the present administration’s commitment to fairness and economic realities, to ensure that the affected property owners can secure new, business-friendly locations.”
The properties being acquired include those of Ahajas Nigeria Limited, Maizare Trailer Park, Total Energy Filling Station, YBK Motors, Adamu Ustaz and various temporary structures.
In another development, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperatives, Dr Barnabas Malle, announced that the State Executive Council has approved the distribution of 2,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer donated by the Federal Government to eligible farmers at no cost.
He stated that the fertilizers will be distributed through cooperative societies to ensure they reach grassroots farmers.
Additionally, the state government will sell another 2,000 metric tonnes of assorted fertilizers, procured by the state, at a 50% discount rate of N22,000.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Mohammed Shettima Gadam, revealed that the Council has approved the commencement of academic activities at the Gombe State University, Dukku campus.
This new campus which hosts the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, will offer programmes in Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Estate Management, and Building.
“To support the start of academic activities, the council has approved the sum of N534,424,144.21 for the procurement of essential equipment for the Dukku campus.
“Additionally, the state government will recruit 52 academic and non-academic staff for the campus, with a monthly remuneration of N16,905,946 also approved.
According to a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe, the recruitment is part of the requirements set by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
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