Population explosion: Gombe Deputy Gov wants effects mitigated
By Ben Ngwakwe Gombe
The Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, on Tuesday, observed that the astronomical increase in population if not checked could lead to serious socio-economic and security issues in the country.
The Deputy Governor who made the observation when the UNFPA Coordinator, Abuja Office paid him a courtesy call in his office in Gombe, pledged full support and collaboration with the Agency towards coming out with policies and programs that will take care of the population.
He noted that they are worried about the population, the way it is surging. Governments should come up with a clear-cut policy document on population.
Read Also:
UNFPA moves to encourage girl child learning in Gombe
Jatau said, “That you are here to help in the situation, we are ready to support, liaise, collaborate, and even listen to constructive criticism in order to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the population in the state.
“Gombe State has been peaceful, but because it is the centre of the Northeast, it has been sandwiched between states affected seriously by insurgency. Consequently there has been an influx of Internally Displaced Persons, and to avoid stigmatisation, we have integrated them into the Society. The influx led to overstretching of our facilities such as Schools, hospitals, and other related outfits, thereby compounding the problems of the people living in the state.
“Our administration has been up and doing from inception. We have made Health our number one priority, followed by education and agriculture. This is because the health of the citizenry is vital to driving the other sectors of the economy. We shall continue to ensure that our population access quality healthcare for sustainable socioeconomic development.”
He explained also that the administration has produced a ten-year development plan tagged DEVAGOM 2020-2030, stressing that the state is expected to be above ordinary growth but to reach the level of development within the stipulated target time.
Earlier, the UNFPA Coordinator Dr. Polycap Takou, Kaduna Office said, he was newly appointed and posted to the office, and has come to familiarize himself with the Government, people of the state.
The Coordinator further said that, the UNFPA Office in Kaduna covers Sokoto, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Gombe States.
He explained that, the area of action of the agency is to support universal access to social amenities, to promote reproductive health right, to reduce maternal mortality, and ending gender- based violence and harmful practices among others.
According to him, “being newly posted, I come to listen, see and discuss with the partners on how we can build better, move forward , and extend our program.
” I have come to congratulate the state, commend regularity, and liberalizing government counterpart contributions. Solicit for how we can do more not for us at UNFPA but for the population living in Gombe State before the program ends in 2030. The objectives can only be achieved with more support from the state.”
The new Coordinator who is from Democratic Republic of Congo said, Gombe State had a particular special consideration within UNFPA and handed over a document on 50th anniversary of the agency and a National Population Policy Document to the Deputy Governor.
