Gombe Gov bemoans Dankwambo’s unfurnished 5bn International Conference centre
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya has bemoaned former governor Dankwambo’s 5bn unfurnished international conference centre built by former governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.
According to Yahaya, over N500m is required to furnish the centre with furniture despite the humongous amount the building was costed.
The governor stated this on Thursday, in his address while justifying the importance of one-day stakeholders meeting on the preparation of Gombe State 2022 budget, organised by Gombe State Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in collaboration with Budget, Planning and Development Partner Coordination office.
The governor noted that if the International Conference centre was taken through scrutiny in an event such as this, there would not have been need for it, following the security challenges centre of such magnitude may not be viable.
He said, “The International Conference centre for example which people said we didn’t utilize close to 5bn wasted on it because to me it is a wastage. When you have a hall like this for the whole of Gombe. The whole North East political zone is facing security challenge and you are siting a conference facility that nobody will care to go because of the the fear of insecurity and the challenges associated with it.
“But yet, people are saying it has not been utilized and at the time the last government left in 2019 a huge furnishing contract which was supply of furniture was not done. If we are to utilize the place we need close to N500m to put furniture. I don’t know if this house will allow N500m to buy instead of constructing road, sinking borehole, building school.”
While justifying the recent 53.7bn applied loans, Yahaya said the proceeds would help the government to inaugurate and complete state secretariat, Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park that would provide jobs to her teeming population.
“Yet, complaints are coming now, they said we should not borrow to build critical infrastructure rather that we should focus on doing what they did. If you want us to finish the Dadinkowa industrial park which will eventually engage our people in productivity. If you say you don’t want us to put up a secretarial complex that is befitting a state, go and tell them and stop us from the process of obtaining facility so that we now go and tell the world that it is the people of Gombe that insisted they don’t want. I have committed and dedicated myself to continue to work and deliver on the needs of our people,” Yahaya added.
On his part, Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Magaji said the stakeholders engagement is aimed at uplifting, underprivileged sections of the society, while mitigating disparity.
Magaji revealed that government underscores the utmost importance to the preparation of the 2022 budget.
“No wonder it is provided in the constitution that before the end of any financial year, the governor must present the budget for the next year to the state house of assembly for consideration.
“The citizen’s engagement is a forum where the representatives of the general public and non governmental organisations (NGOs), traditional/religious leaders, women and trade associations, print and electronic media outfits etc will converge with other stakeholders to discuss about the projects/activities that needs to be reflected in the annual budget which will represent the annual budget which will represent the interest of the general public.”
