Gov. Inuwa Reaffirms Commitment To Ensure Proper Implementation Of Land Reforms, Town Planning Standards
Posted by Abdulaziz Ibrahim | 10 months ago | 1,276 times
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has reiterated his determination to restore the integrity of the BAP/4 layout in the State capital due to its significance to the development of Gombe State.
Consequently, he instructed the Director General of Gombe Geographic Information Systems(GOGIS), Dr. Kabir Usman Hassan, to employ the Executive Order No. 4 signed by the governor in 2021 to take all necessary measures to revitalize the layout.
"Refer to executive order No. 4 and take immediate action. Do whatever is required. If redesigning, revoking, or restoring titles based on available information is necessary, proceed without hesitation. Gombe has no other place to expand besides this, so losing it to gully erosion is not an option," he stated.
The governor made this statement while inspecting environmental degradation at BAP/4 layout, located behind Gombe International Hotel within the proposed Gombe Capital Special Development Zone.
Governor Inuwa reaffirmed his administration's commitment to providing a safe living environment for all residents of the state through the proper implementation of land reform and town planning standards.
He visited the site to personally assess the extent of environmental devastation caused by active gully erosion within the layout and to take all necessary actions towards restoring the area, making it suitable and safe for habitation.
Disturbed by the continuous expansion of gullies, rendering the area less suitable for human habitation, Governor Inuwa attributed the escalation of the problem to the increase in building constructions around the layout. He particularly mentioned the Gombe International Hotel construction, which drains into the BAP/4 layout.
He expressed concern over the nonchalant attitude of landowners towards the erosion problem, despite the development of multiple catchment gullies spreading along this layout and causing further damage to the area. "This layout was designed during the Bauchi State era, and only land speculators erected small fences to maintain control and increase value over time, without considering the environmental degradation," he commented.
The Governor also visited other sites, including the Bauchi Motor Park and the former North East International Market site, where the state government proposes the construction of a State Secretariat, House of Assembly Complex, and High Court, forming the state's version of the Three Arm Zone.
He announced that in collaboration with AcreSAL, the state government aims to mitigate some of the severe gullies within the BAP/4 layout to facilitate development in the area and around the proposed Three Arm Zone.
While guiding the Governor, the Director General of GOGIS, Dr. Kabiru Usman Hassan, explained that the BAP/4 layout comprises 176.8 hectares of customary land, situated within the region designated for the Gombe Capital Special Development Zone, which will house the Gombe High Court and House of Assembly Complexes, among other government institutions.
He commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya's intervention in restoring the layout due to its role in attracting investors and promoting the state's overall development.
Governor Inuwa also evaluated the ongoing 1.6km road project connecting Gabukka to Waterboard and extending to Pantami Livestock Market, passing through densely populated settlements.
While at the construction site, the governor expressed contentment with the speed and quality of the work, assuring the continued provision of infrastructure and social amenities to the people of the area and Gombe State as a whole.
"Our vision is to create a road network, provide power, water supply, and other amenities in this community, just as we've done in other areas," he affirmed.
He appealed to people to avoid encroaching or building on road setbacks, cautioning that such actions would impede further development projects in the area.
The representative of the company handling the project, Triacta Nigeria Ltd, acknowledged the challenges posed by the rainy season but expressed hope in completing the road project by October this year, while maintaining the quality of work.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Village Head of Gabukka, Haruna Abdullahi, expressed gratitude to Governor Inuwa for bringing development to their doorstep. "In the long history of this community, this is the first instance of the government constructing roads here. You have truly left a lasting legacy, and we, along with our children and grandchildren, will forever appreciate this gesture," he applauded.
