Yakubu Halliru
The Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, has assured that the 2025 budget will be passed promptly after thorough scrutiny by the House Committee on Appropriation.
Speaking during the ongoing budget defense exercise for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Luggerewo emphasized the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring the budget aligns with the aspirations of the people.
The 2025 budget, tagged Budget of Commitment and Resilience by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, is expected to address the needs of the electorate once passed into law.
Luggerewo expressed confidence in the Appropriation Committee’s ability to meticulously evaluate sectoral allocations and commended the executive for its impactful projects, which he said are transforming Gombe State into a model for others.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Aliyu Baba Manu, assured that the committee would scrutinize the budget in line with financial principles.
He noted the successes recorded under the 2024 budget and expressed optimism that the 2025 budget, once passed and implemented, would achieve even greater results.
He also highlighted improvements in revenue generation by MDAs compared to previous years.
The State Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Mohammed Gambo Magaji, in his remarks, praised the harmonious relationship between the legislature and the executive, attributing the success of the 2024 budget to this cooperation.
He expressed hope that the same support would be extended to the 2025 budget for optimal implementation.
During his presentation, the Commissioner of Water Resources and Environment, Mohammed Saidu Fawu, reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to providing potable water to Gombe residents.
He disclosed plans to improve revenue generation through household water metering with the assistance of consultants.
On behalf of the Gombe State Environmental Protection Agency (GOSEPA), the Director of Administration and Finance, Yahaya Sa’adu, highlighted efforts to enhance waste disposal, construct latrines, and enforce monthly sanitation programs, which have earned the state recognition as the cleanest in the Northeast.
The State Auditor-General, Mohammed Baba Bajoga, noted significant improvements in governance compliance, attributing it to Governor Yahaya’s adherence to due process and financial principles.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transportation, Engineer Maijama’a Kallamu, reported that his ministry achieved 65% of its 2024 budget goals.
He commended the governor’s investment in capital projects and revealed that ongoing infrastructure projects, including the new complexes for the House of Assembly and the Judiciary, would be completed within 18 months.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mohammed Ahmed Galadima, stated that the ministry would focus on youth and women empowerment through digital skills and partnerships with NITDA and Galaxy.
He praised the governor for positioning Gombe State as a hub for technology-driven initiatives.
The budget defense exercise continues, with MDAs presenting their estimates to ensure effective budget implementation in 2025.
