Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has laid the foundation for a new Gombe State Secretariat Complex, a transformative project aimed at ending nearly three decades of administrative fragmentation and dependence on rented office spaces.
Speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday, the governor described the event as “a historic milestone” that will redefine public service delivery in the state. The project, valued at N68.58 billion and awarded to Datum Construction Nigeria Limited, is expected to be completed within 102 weeks.
He said, “For 29 years, our Ministries, Departments and Agencies have operated from scattered, mostly rented facilities that hinder efficiency and inflate operational costs.
“Today, we begin a new chapter—one that centralises government operations, boosts productivity, and restores dignity to the civil service.”
Our correspondent reports that since the creation of Gombe State in 1996, the existing Dahiru Muhammad Secretariat had served as a stopgap solution. Originally intended as Phase I of a more expansive plan, the structure remained the sole government complex for nearly three decades, with scattered ministries in rented spaces.
“The new complex will include a Head of Service block, four additional blocks capable of housing four ministries each, a remodeled version of the existing structure, and full-scale external works and support facilities. It will also feature green energy solutions and digital infrastructure, merging modern aesthetics with sustainable innovation.
“This is more than just a building. It is a symbol of our commitment to efficiency, tradition, and progress. A tribute to our heritage and a promise to future generations,” Yahaya said.
The project is part of a broader infrastructural vision that includes the ongoing construction of the State House of Assembly and the State High Court, forming a comprehensive Three-Arms Zone.
The governor added, “Since taking office in 2019, Governor Yahaya has prioritised public service reforms, including the implementation of the new minimum wage, the clearance of N21 billion in inherited gratuity arrears, and the establishment of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms.To our civil servants, this is your legacy project. It will house your dedication and service to Gombe State for years to come.”
The governor urged the contractors to adhere strictly to quality standards and timelines, while thanking all stakeholders involved in bringing the long-awaited project to fruition.
“With this foundation, we lay the groundwork not only for a new building but for a more efficient, cost-effective, and future-ready civil service,” Yahaya added.
Lauding the efforts of the governor, Gombe Head of Civil Service Abdullahi Ahmed, said the complex would further equip civil servants to be efficient, “this will improve efficiency in civil service, we want to thank the governor for considering this project,” Ahmed added.
