Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, and his Borno State counterpart, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, have commissioned a number of development projects in Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State, including roads, a Local Council Development Area (LCDA) secretariat and traditional rulers’ palaces.
The projects, according to the Gombe State Government, are part of efforts to strengthen grassroots administration, improve infrastructure and bring government services closer to residents.
The highlight of the commissioning activities was the inauguration of the Kwami West LCDA Secretariat in Bojude by Governor Zulum.
The newly completed secretariat is one of 13 LCDA secretariats constructed by the Gombe State Government as part of its efforts to expand administrative structures and improve service delivery at the grassroots.
Speaking during the commissioning, Governor Inuwa Yahaya traced the idea behind the establishment of the LCDAs in Gombe State to the grassroots governance reforms pioneered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State.
According to Yahaya, the rapid growth of Gombe’s population has increased pressure on the existing administrative structures, making it necessary to create additional development areas to complement the state’s 11 existing local government areas.
He recalled that Gombe State was created in 1996 with a population of about 1.5 million, while the population has now grown to nearly 4.5 million.
“With the increase in the number of people and the limited number of local governments that were created with the state in 1996, we felt the need to add more Local Council Development Areas so that, together with the existing 11, we can take government closer to the people,” Yahaya said.
The Governor said the initiative was driven by the need to respond to the changing realities and development demands of the state’s growing population.
He noted that although the creation of additional administrative areas was not initially promised, his administration considered it necessary to pursue the policy because of its potential to improve grassroots governance.
“We did not mention to you that we would establish additional LGAs, but because it is what ought to be done, something that seemed impossible has been made possible, and we are witnessing it,” he said.
Yahaya also expressed optimism that ongoing efforts to create additional Local Government Areas would receive constitutional and legislative backing.
He disclosed that the relevant bill was at an advanced stage of consideration at the National Assembly and expressed confidence that Gombe State would benefit once President Tinubu assents to the creation of additional local government areas.
Governor Zulum, who commissioned the Kwami West LCDA Secretariat, commended Governor Yahaya for the initiative, describing the establishment of LCDAs as a significant step towards strengthening grassroots administration.
The Borno Governor said the projects being commissioned addressed key aspects of community development, including infrastructure, administration and traditional institutions.
He particularly highlighted the importance of road infrastructure, noting that improved roads could enhance agricultural activities, facilitate trade, improve movement and support the delivery of public services.
Zulum urged officials of the newly commissioned LCDA secretariat to make the facility a centre of responsive and citizen-oriented administration.
“I therefore urge those who will work in the Secretariat to make it a place where citizens are welcome, listened to, and served with fairness and respect,” he said.
The Director-General of the Gombe State Joint Project and Essential Services Agency, Bldr. Mahmood Yusuf, explained that the Kwami West LCDA Secretariat was among 13 purpose-built facilities developed to provide functional administrative spaces for chairmen, councillors and other departments.
He said the facilities were equipped with essential infrastructure, including solar power systems backed by lithium batteries, solar-powered boreholes and internet connectivity.
According to him, the infrastructure is expected to improve communication, coordination and administrative efficiency across the local government and LCDA offices.
The Chairman of Kwami LCDA, Hon. Sa’ad Abdulmumini, commended Governor Yahaya for providing the facility and pledged that the administration would ensure its effective utilisation for the benefit of residents.
Beyond the LCDA secretariat, Governor Zulum also commissioned the Bojude and Daban Fulani District Head palaces.
The Borno Governor commended the traditional institutions for their contributions to peacebuilding, social cohesion and community development.
He called on residents of Kwami and Gombe State to continue supporting development initiatives while maintaining peace and harmony across their communities.
During the visit to Daban Fulani, Governor Zulum was also conferred with the traditional title of Zannan Daban Fulani by the District Head in recognition of his visit and his contributions to public service.
The commissioning of the projects brings together infrastructure development, grassroots administration and traditional leadership, with both governors emphasising the importance of taking development closer to communities.
For the Gombe State Government, the establishment of the LCDAs represents an attempt to respond to population growth and administrative demands, while the newly commissioned infrastructure is expected to provide a stronger platform for grassroots service delivery.
