By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe
The Gombe State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Barr. Sani Ahmed Haruna (Wakilin Arewa Gombe), has charged Chairpersons of the 11 local government areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to ensure prudent and judicious use of public funds for the benefit of residents.
The Commissioner gave the charge while presiding over the September 2026 meeting of the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC), held at the Ministry.
Haruna urged the council chairmen to give priority to projects and programmes capable of addressing the immediate needs of their communities, particularly in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, water and sanitation.
He said the effective utilisation of resources at the grassroots was essential to improving the living conditions of the people and achieving meaningful development across the state.
The Director of Treasury presented the financial report for the month under review, outlining the allocations and financial activities of the local governments and LCDAs.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Adamu Danladi Bojude, also presented a paper on the proposed Free 2026 Medical and Surgical Outreach Programme (Phase II).
Bojude explained that the programme would provide free medical and surgical services to residents across the local government areas, particularly people in communities with limited access to healthcare facilities.
He also presented the proposed schedule for the 2027 outreach and emphasised the importance of bringing essential healthcare services closer to residents at the grassroots.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Yusuf Abdullahi Kwadon, commended the council chairmen for the various development projects being implemented across their areas.
He urged them to sustain their efforts and increase investments in programmes that would create opportunities for young people and promote sustainable grassroots development.
Also at the meeting, the State Coordinator of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Malam Abdullah Shuaibu Danbaka, explained the functions and responsibilities of the board.
Danbaka urged the local government and LCDA chairmen to encourage technicians and other relevant practitioners in their communities to register with NABTEB and obtain professional certification.
Meanwhile, Babayo Abubakar of the ministry’s Inspectorate, Monitoring and Evaluation Department presented a report on projects executed across the local governments and LCDAs in August.
The department recommended greater prioritisation of projects in education, healthcare, water and sanitation, describing the sectors as critical to improving the standard of living of residents.
According to the report, more than 90 per cent of the projects monitored had been completed, while about 10 per cent were still ongoing.
The report indicated that education accounted for 25 projects, representing 23.14 per cent, while health and water and sanitation recorded 18 projects each, representing 16.66 per cent respectively.
Haruna commended the chairmen for their contributions to grassroots development and urged them to sustain the momentum by ensuring prudent management of public resources and timely completion of ongoing projects.
The meeting was attended by local government and LCDA chairmen, the Permanent Secretary, directors of the ministry, the Director of Treasury and other senior government officials.
