The Gombe State Government has awarded a twelve billion naira contract for the construction of 21-kilometre gully erosion control measures in the state as part of measures to nip in the bud, the environmental challenges facing the state.
Co-founded with the Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes( ACReSAL), the project is aimed to touch the lives of over four hundred thousand people who live in fear along the gully corridor in the state capital.
Ismaila Uba Misili, the Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, in a statement, noted that the project was awarded to Triacta Nigeria LTD, with a dateline before the commencement of the rainy season.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who presided over the contract signing ceremony, noted that being referred to as the ‘Erosion Capital of the North-East’, Gombe State has suffered a long decade of devastating effects from gully erosion which displaced many communities and posed a threat to many lives and properties.
Inuwa said the event represents the state’s collective resolve to salvage the state from environmental degradation which led to the loss of agricultural and environmental landscapes of the state, adding that they have done well to address these challenges through Initiatives such as Gombe Goes Green (3G) launched in 2019.
“On assumption of office in 2019, our administration made it clear that a sustainable and resilient environment is crucial to the sustainable livelihood and prosperity of the people.”
“It is this unwavering commitment to environmental preservation and sustainability that informed the launch of the Gombe Goes Green (3G) project within the first weeks of our administration, which targeted the planting of 1 million trees annually in order to combat desertification, deforestation and soil erosion.”
“Since 2019, this administration has undertaken various intervention projects like the GSU-Mallam-Inna project in conjunction with the World Bank, as well as the control of the gully site traversing Buba-Shongo-Federal Lowcost-Gambo Isari through Jekadafari up to Gombe Central Roundabout. The Unguwa-Uku gully erosion site, as well as those at Wuro-Shi’e, Hurumin Da’u, GGSS Doma and Liji are among the list of gully erosion sites to be controlled in due course with the support of ACReSAL/World Bank,” he said.
He expressed confidence that with the help of ACRESAL project, like its predecessor project (NEWMAP), his administration will continue on a journey to reclaim the environmental landscapes, protect the communities, and secure a prosperous future for generations yet unborn.
Expressing his administration’s commitment to continue to leverage opportunities such as this in order to restore the environment, enhance productivity, and improve the livelihoods of the people, the Governor called on stakeholders, to partner with the contractors and other professionals that will handle the project, so as to ensure its successful and timely completion, describing the project as a beacon of hope for communities, especially those grappling with the daunting challenges posed by the gullies.
On his part, the Managing Director, Triacta Nigeria Ltd, Engineer A. B. Fahad who described the event as historic, pointed out that throughout the company’s operations in the state since Hashidu’s regime, it has never executed a project as significant as this gully erosion control project traversing across several communities of about 21 km gully length.
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He assured that the company would execute a qualitative project in line with its terms and conditions, saying “We will also try to ensure that we complete the project before the inception of next rainy season”.
In a remark, the state Project Coordinator, Sani Adamu Jauro expressed his appreciation to the governor for his commitment and support to the ACReSaL project in Gombe State which led to the project recording remarkable successes.
WikkiTimes understand that the Gombe State Government has paid over N500 million counterpart contribution after meeting all the necessary conditions for the state participation in the 21 kilometres project which starts from the Federal College of Education (Tech) to the Railway Line through several communities including London Maidoruwa, Malam Inna, Wuro Ledde, Wuro Kesa, and Arawa.
