Gombe State has approved the sum of N4.205 billion as gratuity for 2,204 civil servants who retired between 2019 and 2020 at the state level.
This decision was made during the Gombe State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Monday, presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau announced the approval during a press briefing after the meeting, noting that it follows the successful clearance of the 2014-2018 gratuity backlog, which amounted to over N13 billion and benefited 5,658 retirees at the state level and 6,027 at the local government level.
Dr. Jatau further revealed that since the current administration took office, it has paid out a total of N17.235 billion in gratuities to retired civil servants at both the state and local government levels.
He praised the administration’s dedication to fulfilling its financial obligations to retirees, highlighting the government’s rare commitment compared to the neglect often shown by political leaders toward retirees nationwide.
In infrastructure development, the Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transport, Engr. Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, disclosed that the council approved N31.547 billion for the construction of an underpass to connect Yemi Osibanjo Road with the Central Business District (CBD) and the State Secretariat. The project will also include an 18.1-kilometer road network in the area. The construction is set to address the anticipated increase in traffic once the CBD becomes operational. The contract was awarded to Triacta Nigeria and has a 20-month completion timeline.
The Commissioner assured the public that ongoing work at the CBD is progressing according to schedule.
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Malam Muhammad Gambo Magaji, spoke about the approval of the Gombe State 2025 Business Enabling and Regulatory Action Plan (BERAP). He explained that the plan is a key requirement for implementing the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), a World Bank program aimed at enhancing the business environment in participating states.
Malam Magaji emphasized that Gombe’s continued investments in security and pro-business policies have created a stable, productive, and competitive environment for businesses.
The Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Kasimu Abdullahi, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for fulfilling his promise to clear all gratuity backlogs before the end of his tenure. He encouraged civil servants to show greater dedication to their duties in return and advised retirees to wisely manage their entitlements to improve their lives and contribute to the state’s economic growth.
This was conveyed in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General of Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe.
