The strongest evidence of a government’s development philosophy is found in the spread of projects, the communities they reach and the problems they solve.
In Gombe State, the footprint of the Joint Projects Development and Essential Services Agency (JPDESA) provides a compelling picture of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s deliberate commitment to statewide and inclusive development.
Across all 11 Local Government Areas and 13 LCDAs, JPDESA, under the leadership of Bldr. Mahmoud Yusuf, has intervened in critical areas of community life, including roads, bridges and markets to electricity, water, administrative infrastructure, traditional institutions and essential social services.
The pattern is unmistakable: development is not being concentrated in Gombe metropolis or a handful of major towns. It is being deliberately spread across the state, with interventions responding to the specific needs of each locality.
In Akko, JPDESA has reconstructed the Local Government Secretariat and Gona Emir’s Palace, while constructing the Akko West and Akko North LCDA secretariats in Pindiga and Amada. Solar street lighting has also been provided in Kumo and Tumfure, combining institutional development with improved community infrastructure.
In Balanga, the emphasis includes energy access. The one-megawatt solar mini-grid in Tallasse and Swa is particularly significant for communities that have endured inadequate electricity for years. Beyond lighting homes, the project creates possibilities for businesses, schools and productive activities.
In Billiri, the reconstruction of the Gada-Uku-Sansani Bridge, rehabilitation of Kantoma Market, construction of the Billiri Grains Market and a police outpost at Amtawalam demonstrate an integrated response to mobility, commerce and security needs of the people.
In Dukku, the construction of a motor park, grains and cattle market, solar street lighting and the Dukku North LCDA Secretariat is strengthening economic activity while improving the infrastructure for local administration.
In Funakaye, interventions include the reconstruction of the Emir’s Palace, rehabilitation and furnishing of district head palaces, construction of shops in Bajoga, solar street lighting and the Funakaye South LCDA Secretariat.
In Gombe Local Government, JPDESA has reconstructed the Idi Shopping Complex and Gombe South LCDA Secretariat, while reconstructing and upgrading the Gombe Emir’s Palace. The Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs Secretariat, now about 95 per cent complete, adds another important dimension to this institutional investment, strengthening the role of traditional institutions in governance, peace and community development.
In Kwami, the reach is particularly notable. Solar street lighting has extended to communities including Kwami, Gadam, Bojude, Doho, Malam Sidi, Malleri, Jurara, Dukul and Daban Fulani. The reconstruction and furnishing of district head palaces and construction of the Kwami West LCDA Secretariat further extend Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s development footprint.
In Kaltungo, the reconstruction of the Local Government Secretariat, construction of market stalls and the Kaltungo East LCDA Secretariat at Tula Wange are strengthening both local administration and commercial activity.
In Nafada, the construction of the Local Government Secretariat, solar street lighting in Nafada town and surrounding communities, and the Nafada South LCDA Secretariat reflect the Inuwa Yahaya administration’s effort to combine governance infrastructure with improved access to energy.
In Shongom, JPDESA has supported the construction of parts of the Local Government Secretariat, seven district head palaces, a solar mini-grid in Filiya and the Pero-Chonge LCDA Secretariat, bringing together governance, traditional institutions and energy infrastructure.
In Yamaltu-Deba, solar street lighting has been extended across several communities, while the NALDA Market in Kwadon has received fencing, lighting and solar-powered water infrastructure. The Yamaltu East and West LCDA secretariats are also being constructed at Dadin Kowa and Zambuk.
Taken individually, these may appear to be different projects in different communities. Taken together, they reveal a coherent statewide development strategy. That is perhaps the most important story in the JPDESA intervention.
The government is not imposing a uniform template on the various communities. It is rather responding to different needs with different solutions.
Where mobility is the challenge, there is a bridge. Where commerce needs support, there is a market. Where electricity is the constraint, there is solar power. Where local administration requires strengthening, there is a secretariat.
Where traditional institutions need modern facilities, there are palace and council projects. Where communities require better public spaces and security, there is street lighting. This is what equitable development looks like in practice: not necessarily giving every community the same thing, but ensuring that every part of the state has a stake in government’s development agenda.
That is the real significance of the Inuwa Yahaya development agenda.
Not development for a few places, but development across the state. Not projects for projects’ sake, but infrastructure designed to solve problems, expand opportunity and bring government closer to the people.
Leave a Comment