By Bitrus Osagie
The Gombe State Executive Council (SEC) has approved the sum of N2.23 billion for the construction of a 7.5-hectare modern mechanic village in the state.
Mr Usman Kallamu, Gombe State Commissioner of Works, Housing and Transportation, stated this during a news conference in Gombe on Wednesday.
While addressing journalists shortly after the SEC meeting, chaired by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Kallamu said the project was to complete existing infrastructure aimed at developing the state.
He said before the completion of the Ibrahim Dankwambo Mega motor park, drivers and mechanics occupied the same motor parks in the state.
He stated that since the government relocated the drivers and transport services to the new mega park, it also deemed it fit to provide a place for mechanics and spare parts dealers.
“In Gov. Yahaya’s passion to continue modernising Gombe, the way this (Dankwambo’s mega motor) park was modernised, he equally said that the mechanics would be placed in a separate place.
“The place which will be sited near the mega park was earmarked for mechanics and indeed spare parts vendors.
“Instead of leaving the place undeveloped, he decided to modernise it by providing basic infrastructure such as roads, water, toilet facilities and fencing.
“The place would also have solar street lights within the mechanic village,” he said.
The commissioner also said that the council approved the installation of a 10-kilometre solar street light inside Gombe metropolis at the cost of N779 million.
According to him, the solar street light will “enhance security and beautify the state.”
On his part, Mr Sanusi Ahmed, the state’s Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources, said council approved N575 million for Balanga dam resuscitation.
Ahmed said the sum approved was 30 per cent counterpart contribution for the implementation of the hydropower project.
He said that the Balanga dam resuscitation was a joint project to be funded by the European Union and the Gombe State government on a 70-30 per cent ratio.
According to him, the total cost of the project is N1.91 billion, and the EU is expected to contribute N1.34 billion.
“The project will ensure the construction and generation of 320KW from the dam to power irrigation activities in Balanga communities,” he said.
