By Abdulwahab Muhammad, Gombe
... Pledges Implementation Of Recommendations To Consolidate On First Term Achievements.
...As Committee Recommends Reduction In Number Of Ministries.
..Rates Gombe Gov High In Infrastructure, Health, Human Capital Development, Others.
...Says Gratuity Payments To Retirees By Gov Inuwa Largest Made By Any Government In Gombe History.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON has received the report of the transition management committee he earlier set up to streamline the successful transition of governance in all ministries, departments and agencies of Gombe State.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the committee, Dr. Ibrahim Jalo Daudu commended Governor Inuwa for his good leadership qualities and approach to governance which help in sustaining development projects in the state even during economic downturns.
"Despite the economic challenges faced, you were able to lead the state to success, making strategic decisions that enabled our state to weather the economic crisis. Your leadership and vision enabled Gombe to remain one of the fastest-growing states even during a time of crisis", he said.
Rating the performance of the first tenure of the Inuwa-led government, the committee chairman said that based on the facts gathered by his committee, the administration has performed exceptionally well in many key sectors.
"Specifically, the ongoing construction of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Dadin Kowa; comprehensive overhaul and upgrade of major hospitals in the state; the provision of Primary Healthcare Centres in each of the 114 political wards; the construction/renovation and equipping of 1,440 classrooms in over 500 schools; construction of 675 kilometres of roads across the state are some of the most impressive achievements of any government in the history of the state.
"During the course of our work, we were able to determine that out of over N100 billion in debt inherited from the previous administration, your administration has paid approximately N33 billion"
"Also noteworthy is the payment of N6 billion in backlog gratuities owed to retirees in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. As far as we are aware, this is the largest payment of gratuity made by any government in Gombe State", he added.
Dr. Jalo also extolled Inuwa's prudence in managing public finances noting that the state received N26 billion through the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability programme, making it the 4th most successful state in public financial management in the country for that credit.
The committee recommended that to maintain its momentum and even double-up the rate of development, the government needs to consolidate the gains of the ongoing reform of the civil service, improvement in the state's internally generated revenue, and the need to focus more on job creation.
Other recommendations of the committee are the construction of the Three Arms Zone Complex, which will house the State Secretariat, State Assembly, and Judiciary, the immediate implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, and the reduction of the number of ministries as part of comprehensive reforms of the states civil service initiated by the present administration in Gombe State.
The retired Federal Permanent Secretary thanked the governor for the trust he placed in them and for the support he had provided to them throughout their service.
In his remarks after receiving the report, Governor Inuwa assured to use the recommendations of the committee in formulating policies and programmes that will better the lots of the citizenry and bring development to the entire state.
He said, "I want to assure you that we will work with this report, and by the grace of God Almighty, we shall implement the recommendations because we believe the strength and inputs you gave in this report are very apt and will support us in executing the agenda that this government is pursuing".
He appreciated the wonderful work done by the members, acknowledging all the sacrifices and dedication made by them towards meeting the committee's mandate.
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