The Gombe state government has constructed 550 housing units to provide affordable houses to the people, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has said.
The governor stated this while speaking during the official unveiling of a new layout, known as Shongo Gardens Layout weekend.
He observed that owing to its centrality in the North-eastern region and the prevailing insecurity in the neighboring states, Gombe has witnessed an exponential increase both in population and size of its urban centres, partly as a result of influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and urbanisation, the scenario that he said has put more pressure on the existing social amenities and proliferated the demand for housing and other social services.
“Since inception, we realise that in our efforts towards achieving the SDGs Goal 11 on fostering sustainable community and inclusive urban development, we must develop innovative ways to provide affordable and quality housing to our people.
“It is against this backdrop that our administration deemed it necessary to establish Gombe Geographic Information Systems, (GOGIS) and transform the Gombe State Development Board to Gombe State Urban Planning Development Authority (GOSUPDA) in order to ensure the realisation of the urban renewal agenda while abolishing administrative bottle necks,” he added.
Governor Yahaya added that the twin events mark the commencement of yet another phase of massive infrastructural development in the state and an important step that will see to the actualisation of the Special Development Zone Project which encapsulates an ambitious vision of his administration for a new and modern Gombe.
“This layout will be the first of its kind where critical infrastructure such as roads, water, power networks and other vital services will be provided with a goal of creating a habitable environment for Gombe residents while at the same time attracting investors and developers,” he stated.
