Gombeline to get 30 buses out of 40 approved by Council
Gombe State Executive Council on Wednesday approved the purchase of 40 buses, out of which 30 would be earmarked to cushion the difficulties faced by travellers patronising Gombeline, the state’s commercial bus company.
The Exco meeting which was presided by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, allotted 10 other buses including ambulances to the newly remodeled hospitals sited in Kaltungo, Kumo and Bajoga.
Giving a breakdown of the day’s proceedings Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Magaji, said some schools would also benefit from the largesse.
Recall that the State’s bus service Gombeline received a boost with about 50 vehicles by the Yahaya’s administration upon assumption of office.
Magaji said, “Memo for the purchase of 40 Toyota Hiace buses, 30 to be redeployed to Gombeline. His Excellency upon assumption of office bought 50 buses for Gombeline and inherited old buses from past administrations those old buses have developed various fault and are not operational at the moment.
“There is need to beef up the number of buses to allow for better commuting and to allow citizens commute from states to state and within the state especially as the Ember month is coming in.
“10 other buses will be given to other MDAs and organisations that have since indicated interest for vehicles to be dedicated to them as well special schools, ambulances are among they will be distributed among newly renovated hospitals Bajoga, Kumo and Kaltungo.”
Commenting about the second memo Magaji, said the 2023 proposed budget is 11 percent above the 2022 budget.
Our Correspondent reports that Governor Yahaya, would on Thursday present the 2023 budget estimate at Gombe State House of Assembly.
“Second memo, is on the 2023 budget proposal and recently we Medium Term Expenditure Framework was approved by Council and the state assembly has concluded giving us parameters for us to be able to prepare 2023 appropriation bill.
“The State is proposing a budget figure of 173,722,22 billion naira. The budget is an increase of 11 percent from the 2022 budget size,” Magaji said.
