By Peter Jatau
The newly constructed secretariat of Kwami West Development Area in Gombe State has been commissioned, with the council’s first administrator, Hon Sada Abdulmummuni Executive Chairman Kwami West local government LCDA Gombe, describing the development as a historic milestone for residents of the area.
Speaking after the commissioning, the administrator said the creation of the development area would bring government closer to rural communities and improve access to essential services.
He said the development was particularly significant at a time when residents were facing economic challenges and difficulties accessing government facilities.
“This is the first time we are witnessing this kind of occasion, and we are very happy about what happened,” he said.
According to him, infrastructure projects executed by the Gombe State Government, particularly road construction, have begun to address longstanding challenges faced by farmers and rural communities.
He cited the construction of roads covering about 40 kilometres and another project of approximately 38 kilometres, saying the roads would improve access to farms and markets and facilitate the movement of agricultural produce.
The administrator also commended the state government for improvements in healthcare infrastructure, saying residents previously had to transport pregnant women and other patients to distant facilities because of inadequate services.
He said improvements in primary healthcare centres across the development area would help reduce the difficulties faced by rural residents in accessing medical care.
The administrator further disclosed that his administration would focus on three major areas — education, healthcare and agriculture.
“Education is very important because in any society, the level of your knowledge is the level of your development,” he said.
He added that healthcare would receive attention, particularly facilities serving farming communities, while agriculture would be promoted because of its importance to the local economy.
According to him, the administration would also explore ways of supporting young people and women through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and technology.
The administrator, who identified himself as a computer scientist, said he planned to introduce programmes that would enable young people to acquire digital skills and work online.
He said some residents already possessed skills but lacked the capital needed to establish or expand their businesses.
“We want to engage them. Some already have skills but don’t have the capital to utilise them,” he said.
He also called for greater economic self-reliance among residents, urging young people and women to develop productive ventures rather than depend entirely on government assistance.
On the 2027 political landscape, the administrator said some residents and community leaders had encouraged the state governor to seek election to the Senate, citing what he described as the governor’s experience and record of development.
He said residents of Kwami would mobilise support for the governor, although the comments reflected his personal and community political position.
The administrator also expressed appreciation to the Gombe State Government for the projects executed in the area, saying the development witnessed in Kwami West had exceeded what many residents expected when the current administration assumed office.
He pledged that his administration would work to consolidate the gains and deliver programmes aimed at improving the welfare and economic opportunities of residents.
“We will give our people good leadership, by God’s grace,” he said.
