Gombe SEC approves payment of external exams fees for secondary school final year students

By Matthew Eloyi

The Gombe State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has approved the payment of external examination fees for 23,688 final year students in secondary schools throughout the state.

This was revealed to journalists by the Commissioner of Education, Dauda Batari Zambuk, at the end of the 23rd session of the State Executive Council Meeting held at the EXCO Chamber.

He said the State Executive Council swiftly approved a sum of over 435 million, 272 thousand, 9 hundred naira for the payment of WAEC, NABTEB, and NBAIS examination fees.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Abubakar Bappah, told journalists that the council had approved the construction of six highways around the state.

The 17-kilometer Tashan magarya- Lamba- Zange-Bappah Ibrahima- Luggerewo- Jauro Bello- Papa to link with Pindiga Road in Akko Local Government Area was awarded at a cost of four billion, two hundred and thirty-six million, seven hundred and eighty-five thousand, five hundred and thirteen naira, fourteen kobo with a completion period of twenty-four months as part of the network 11-100 initiative.

The Filiya-Gwandum-Keffi-Yaburo-Gurwa-Shakram-Daja to Gundale road was also awarded at the contract sum of five billion, three hundred and ten million, one hundred and seventeen thousand, two hundred and fourteen naira with a completion period of twelve months.

Other roads approved for construction by the State Executive Council include the 10 kilometres Bojude to Dirri, awarded at the cost of two billion, one hundred and ninety six million, four hundred and ninety two thousand, eight hundred and thirty naira eighty eight kobo, the 10 kilometres Nafada link road at the cost of 2.55 billion naira and the 27 kilometres Kuri-Nasarawa lambam-Gelambam-Dasa junction to Tallasse awarded at the cost of eight billion, three hundred and eighty eight million, eight hundred and fifty four thousand, one hundred and fourty one naira, six kobo with a completion period of twenty two months.

The Commissioner added that the State Executive Council has approved 20 percent mobilization fees for all contractors to mobilize to site.

Also at the briefing, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo said the State Executive Council approved the procurement of 13 hilux vehicles valued at a contract sum of four hundred and thirty four million, three hundred and forty three thousand naira.

The cars would be deployed to all 11 Local Government Areas in the state, according to the Commissioner, in order to increase the security of people and property in the state.

The press briefing was conducted by Julius Ishaya Lapes, Commissioner for Information and Culture, who underlined the Inuwa Yahaya-led administration’s dedication and resolve to leave a legacy that will bear all the markers of economic viability and social stability.