…to come up with stringent law against Rape, kidnapping, others
Gombe State Government says it is open to alliance with any organisation whose thematic area is to address the incidences of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the state.
The Secretary to the state Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi stated this when he granted audience to Violence Against Persons Alliance, VAPP, a coalition of non governmental organisations formed to push for the domestication of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.
Professor Njodi who expressed sadness over a report ranking the state as number one in the incidences of SGBV, said Gombe state is packaging a strigent law that will address issues such as drug abuse, rape and kidnapping in the state.
He said Governor Inuwa Yahaya has since established the Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation to provide security to the people of the state while carrying out pro social activities that could re-orient the minds of the people.
The SSG said there is a strong correlation between the abuse of substance and the tendency to commit crime of despicable proportion, saying this was why the Governor of Gombe State appointed a Special Adviser on drugs and Nacotics.
Professor Njodi thanked the coalition for standing up to be counted in times of need, assuring of the State Government’s readiness to work in partnership with them.
Earlier speaking, the leader of the delegation, Dudu Mamman Manuga said Violence Against Persons Alliance is a coalition of civil society organisations who came together to address the incidences of sexual and gender based violence in the state.
She said according to a report by researchers.ng ranks Gombe State as has having the highest number of SGBV in the Country a situation the leader of the delegation said was worrisome.
Dudu Manuga said the coalition has since submitted a zero draft bill to the Gombe State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice for the promulgation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law in Gombe state.
The Gombe State Internal Revenue Service has outlined a series of tax concession and palliatives for taxpayers in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic which has led to shut down of both government and private businesses and disrupted supply chain.
The measure is designed to cushion the effects of the pandemic, relieve taxpayers of the burden of tax compliance at this trying moment.
The Administrator, Gombe State Internal Revenue Service, GIRS, Malam Abubakar Inuwa Tata announced the tax concessions and palliatives as follows:
(1) Extension of time for filing of annual returns by individuals from March 31, 2020 to August 31, 2020;
(2) The due date for filing of annual returns by companies is also extended to August 31, 2020 as against earlier deadline of January 31, 2020;
(3) The penalty of N50,000.00 for individuals and in the case of corporate organisation N500,000.00 for non-filing has also been waived;
(4) The Service has also waived all penalties and interests for outstanding liabilities on back-duty audit for individuals and enterprises in the State, particularly the micro, small and medium scale (MSMEs)enterprises affected by the pandemic;
(5) A waiver of interest on all outstanding liabilities for limited liability companies operating in the State;
(6) Taxpayers will be allowed to file returns using unaudited accounts but must subsequently submit their audited accounts within two months after the revised due date for filing;
(7) Waiver on interest element on back-duty liabilities for Mast/Towers levies of Telecommunication companies, Radio stations and commercial banks;
(8) Registration and renewal of vehicle particulars have been slashed by 5% and 10% respectively from the original cost to enable all road users comply with road traffic regulations;
(9) A 40% waiver on back-duty withholding taxes for rent on institutional estates, private estates, individuals rented properties, shops and apartments, WHT on contracts, Director’s and consultancy fees, etc;
(10) A 50% waiver on Capital Gain Tax assessed on sale of properties;
These palliatives/tax relief are available to taxpayers who wish to settle their outstanding tax liabilities on or before the 31st of October, 2020. However, this doesn’t include back duty on PAYE.
The GIRS administrator expressed hope that all residents and business entities operating in Gombe State will take advantage of these palliatives and reciprocate Government’s by discharging their civic responsibilities of paying taxes and levies due to the State Government promptly.
The Gombe State Internal Revenue Service has outlined a series of tax concession and palliatives for taxpayers in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic which has led to shut down of both government and private businesses and disrupted supply chain.
The measure is designed to cushion the effects of the pandemic, relieve taxpayers of the burden of tax compliance at this trying moment.
The Administrator, Gombe State Internal Revenue Service, GIRS, Malam Abubakar Inuwa Tata announced the tax concessions and palliatives as follows:
(1) Extension of time for filing of annual returns by individuals from March 31, 2020 to August 31, 2020;
(2) The due date for filing of annual returns by companies is also extended to August 31, 2020 as against earlier deadline of January 31, 2020;
(3) The penalty of N50,000.00 for individuals and in the case of corporate organisation N500,000.00 for non-filing has also been waived;
(4) The Service has also waived all penalties and interests for outstanding liabilities on back-duty audit for individuals and enterprises in the State, particularly the micro, small and medium scale (MSMEs)enterprises affected by the pandemic;
(5) A waiver of interest on all outstanding liabilities for limited liability companies operating in the State;
(6) Taxpayers will be allowed to file returns using unaudited accounts but must subsequently submit their audited accounts within two months after the revised due date for filing;
(7) Waiver on interest element on back-duty liabilities for Mast/Towers levies of Telecommunication companies, Radio stations and commercial banks;
(8) Registration and renewal of vehicle particulars have been slashed by 5% and 10% respectively from the original cost to enable all road users comply with road traffic regulations;
(9) A 40% waiver on back-duty withholding taxes for rent on institutional estates, private estates, individuals rented properties, shops and apartments, WHT on contracts, Director’s and consultancy fees, etc;
(10) A 50% waiver on Capital Gain Tax assessed on sale of properties;
These palliatives/tax relief are available to taxpayers who wish to settle their outstanding tax liabilities on or before the 31st of October, 2020. However, this doesn’t include back duty on PAYE.
The GIRS administrator expressed hope that all residents and business entities operating in Gombe State will take advantage of these palliatives and reciprocate Government’s by discharging their civic responsibilities of paying taxes and levies due to the State Government promptly.
Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has approved the appointment of 2 Special Advisers and a Director General.
The new appointees are:
Group Captain Bitrus P. Bilal ( Rtd)
Special Adviser on Development Control, Compliance and Enforcement
Prince Chidebelu Cornelius Ewuzie -Special Adviser on Inter- Community Relations
Dr. Muazu Shehu Director- General Research and Documentation
The appointments, which take immediate effect, are in recognition of their track records of achievements, experience, loyalty and commitment to service.
The Secretary to the state Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi who conveyed the appointments on behalf of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, congratulated the new Special Advisers and the Director-General, urging them to bring to bear their wealth of experience in the discharge of their duties in their respective offices.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has signed Executive Order No. 5 of 2020, which authorizes the immediate implementation and enforcement of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in Gombe state.
The order, signed by the Governor on Monday, 13th July, 2020, is sequel to Government’s resolve to centralize and consolidate all cash and investment balances in banks and other financial institutions with a view to having a real time liquidity position of the state in a single view as well as eliminate operational inefficiencies and costs associated with maintaining multiple accounts across multiple financial institutions.
The Governor, by virtue of the authority vested in him by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and all other laws enabling him in that behalf, ordered as follows:
The immediate and effective implementation and enforcement of the Treasury Single Account ( hereinafter referred to as (“TSA”) in Gombe state.
The maintenance of main TSA in a single banking institution and maintenance of associated zero balance ledger sub- accounts ( “ZBAs”) where they exist in other institutions from where balances shall be swept to the main TSA in the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) or the appointed main TSA hosting financial institution.
The strict enforcement, operation and implementation of the TSA in accordance with the Cash Management Strategy ( “CMS”) of Gombe state that came into effect in the year 2019.
The Governor may revise or modify this order as he deems fit.
This Executive Order shall take effect from the date it is signed.
The Executive Order identified some factors that led to the enforcement of the new financial policy which include weaknesses in the existing practice of preparing monthly payment schedules for governor’s approval in which budgeted resources flow to MDAs.
Other factors are: weak cash planning processes that hinder cash forecasting and its alignment with government spending, inability of the Treasury division of the state Ministry of Finance to have a real time view of the liquidity position of government; thus hindering its ability to efficiently plan and manage idle resources as well as eliminate liquidity mismatch which has led to the budget deficit and poor budget performance.
Also according to the order, Gombe state financial regulations 2012, Gombe state Council on Procurement and Public Procurement Bureau Law 2019,Gombe state Fiscal Responsibility (Amendment) law, 2019 and Gombe state Internal Revenue Service and Revenue Administration Law ( codification and consolidation) Law, 2020 provided the framework for the cash management strategy as well as enforcement of the TSA in the state.
Determined to ensure continued provision of basic physical and organisational structures and facilities needed for the well being of the citizenry as well as check uncontrolled alienation of communal lands, the Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has signed Executive Order No 4 of 2020 expanding the radius of the existing urban areas and creating new ones in all the local government areas of the state.
This is in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 3 of the land use act and all other powers enabling him in that behalf.
In the order, cited as the ‘Designation of the Urban Areas in Gombe state, the Governor revoked the earlier designated Urban areas under order No. 1 of 1999 and made the following orders:
That all the land within 20 kilometres radius of Gombe Local Government Headquarters is hereby designated as urban area.
All Local Government Councils Headquarters in the state and all the land within 15 Kilometers radius of the Local Government Headquarters specified in schedule 1 hereto are hereby designated as urban areas.
All the land within 10 kilometres of the radius listed in schedule 2 hereto are hereby designated as urban areas.
As from the commencement of this order, it shall not be lawful for any Local Government Council to grant any right of occupancy to any person over any undeveloped land specified in sections 2 and 3 of this order.
As from commencement of this order, it shall not be lawful for any person or authority by whatever name called or addressed to sale to any person any undeveloped land specified in sections 2 and 3 of this order.
The centre from whence to determine the circumference of any radius shall be the palace of the paramount ruler of the area in question.
Any instrument or agreement purporting to transfer any undeveloped land in contravention of this order or the Act shall be void or of no effect and any party to any such instrument shall be liable for prosecution.
The designation of Urban Areas Order Number 1 of 1999 is hereby revoked.
The Governor may revise or modify this order as he deems fit and such revision or modification may be given retrospective effect.
According to the order, in addition to the Headquarters of the respective Local Government Councils, the newly designated towns are Pindiga, Kashere, Tumu, Gona and Akko Town in Akko; Bambam, Cham and Degri in Balanga; Baganje Tal and Todi in Billiri and Gombe- Abba, Hashidu, Jamari, Malala and Dokoro in Dukku Local Government areas.
Others are Tongo, Ashaka and Ribadu in Funakaye; Ture, Kamo, Awak Dogon Ruwa and Tula in Kaltungo; Bojude, Dukkul, Gadam, Kwami and Komfulata in Kwami Local Government areas.
The rest are Birin Fulani, Birin Bolawa and Barwo; Lapan, Kulishin and Filiya as well as Dadinkowa, Kwadon and Kuri in Nafada, Shongom and Yamaltu Deba Local Government areas respectively.
This Executive order is with effect from the13th of July, 2020.
Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says his administration is committed to enhancing human capital development for self sustainability through close partnership and collaboration with relevant organizations.
The Governor made the assertion when he played host to the Country Director of Mercy Corps, a USAID funded international humanitarian organisation that supports market actors with specific attention to youths and women.
Governor Yahaya expressed delight over the decision of the organisation to commence the implementation of the Rural Resilience Activity project in the north east with Gombe serving as its zonal headquarters.
He said rural resilience, which focuses on economic activities must be seen to trickle down to human capacity building in the area of high quality nutrition, education and infrastructure that will catapult the people towards realising their potentials.
The Governor said Mercy Corps could not have come at a better time than now when the world is faced with the novel coronavirus pandemic, adding that the state will need the technical support of the organisation to curb the spread of the covid-19 virus and strengthen its safety net.
While assuring the organisation of safety abd security of its staff and facilities, the Governor said inspite of the challenges facing the North East, the government of Gombe State has been able to maintain peace largely to the understanding and security consciousness of the people.
Governor Yahaya said due to the environmental limitations of the Gombe, the State needs all the partnerships it can get to restore land degradation and vegetation so that plants and animals can produce optimally.
“Unless we can provide space for people to produce and produce economically, the rest of the social activities that go through either commercial in terms of trading or value Chain utilisation in processing, marketing and distribution may not be possible”.
The Governor said assured that administration will partner Mercy Corps and is ready to sign a memorandum of understanding on activities that are tailored towards the good of the people.
Earlier speaking, the Country Director of Mercy Corps, Ndubuisi Anyanwu explained that his organisation is a leading humanitarian agency that is working in forty countries of the world to address the devastating impacts of conflicts and fragility.
He said since 2012, Mercy Corps has been working in Nigeria in many of the difficult regions to strengthen resilience and promote development particularly in the north east.
He said from his short experience with the government and people of Gombe, the state is a prime candidate for collaboration that is people oriented.
Also speaking the Deputy chief of party, Mercy Corps Farouk Kurawa, said the project Gombe is about to enjoy is a five year United State Agency for International Development ( USAID) sponsored project, code named Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience.
He said the project is aimed at facilitating economic recovery and growth in vulnerable, confident affected areas by promoting systemic change in market systems.
According to him, the activity that would be carried out in the north east will lift over 90,000 households from poverty with Gombe, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe as beneficiaries.
… vows to take development projects to nooks and crannies of Gombe State
Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya today inspected the ongoing Nayi Nawa- Woro Shi’e- Bye-pass road project in Gombe metropolis awarded recently by his administration.
Addressing some community leaders and residents of the area, the Governor stressed his administration’s commitments towards providing access roads and other development projects to nooks and crannies of the state.
While expressing satisfaction with the pace of work, the Governor called on the residents of the benefitting communities to cooperate with the contractors handling the project.
He assured of his government’s commitment to ensure that the project is completed on time, warning residents against encroaching road side spaces after completion.
He said such spaces are reserved for some critical facilities like water pipe lines, street lights, walk ways and trees.
Governor Yahaya who emphasized that he is mindful of his campaign promises to the people, vowed to ensure that the teeming electorate enjoy the dividends of democracy through many of his administration’s people- oriented projects, policies and programmes such as the network- eleven- hundred and the Gombe Goes Green in order to improve the socio-economic activities of the citizenry.
… as Gombe targets planting of 1.2 million trees this year
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has reiterated his administration’s commitment towards making environmental sustainability the cornerstone of its development agenda.
The Governor stated this at the flag-off of 2020 Gombe Goes Green (3G) Tree Planting Campaign in Wajari district of Yalmatu Deba Local Government Area of the State, with the theme “Greener Gombe for Greater Gombe”.
He said Government will continue to enhance and protect the ecological system upon which all lives and livelihoods depend.
The Governor explained that the overall launch of the Gombe Goes Green (3G) initiative on the 28th of August 2019, was aimed at addressing some of the pressing ecological problems facing the State.
He said the determination of his administration to address these environmental challenges led to the launching of the 3G project which targets the planting of 1 million trees annually over a period of four years.
The Governor said through aggressive afforestation and reforestation, the 3G project seeks to combat land degradation, desertification, erosion, loss of soil nutrients and rehabilitate degraded land.
He explained that since the launch of 3G project, the state has achieved significant milestones in the establishment of eight 20-hectare woodlots in 9 Local Government Areas of the State and planted over 20,000 trees along the major roads within Gombe metropolis.
The Governor further explained that Gombe state has over the years spent huge amounts of its resources in controlling gullies that are threatening social life and physical infrastructure in the metropolis and other local government areas.
He said the unwavering commitment of his administration to environmental sustainability has inspired the State to initiate the largest and most comprehensive environmental restoration project in the North East subregion, the 3G.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said his administration’s resolve to priortise and preserve the environment was necessitated by the realisation of the severity and diversity of the environmental challenges confronting the State.
“It is common knowledge that Gombe is one of the frontline states that is threatened by rapid desert encroachment. Available evidence shows that about two-thirds of our entire state is facing various forms of land degradation such as desertification, deforestation and other negative effects on agricultural productivity leading to declining crop yield”.
He added that, “deforestation is major driver of both desert encroachment and erosion in Gombe state. During the past 4 decades, it is estimated that we have lost between 65 and 96 percent of our entire forest cover largely due to firewood and charcoal extraction, agricultural expansion and urban growth among other factors. As a result of years of unabated deforestation, our state has lost exotic indigenous tree and animal species, witnessed dangerous disruption of carbon and water cycles and loss of livelihoods, especially in our rural communities that depend directly on those resources “.
The Governor said he had already approved the distribution of 200, 000 seedlings to some selected groups and members of the public who are interested in joining Government’s efforts to combat the menace of of environmental decline as a way of intensifying and expanding the tree planting exercise to include social forestry and agroforestry.
He said Government will commence extensive tree planting in schools, hospitals and public buildings across the state in addition to planting along major roads and areas threatened by erosion as well as in barren and degraded lands.
Earlier speaking, the state Commissioner of Environment and Forestry Resources, Dr. Hussaina Danjuma Goje said, 3G is a pet project of Governor Inuwa Yahaya which aims at tackling the wide ranging environmental challenges facing the state, adding that during the last one year, the Governor has kept the project close to his heart by giving her Ministry all the needed support and resources to actualize its mandate.
She disclosed that Gombe state has secured a partnership with Forest Research Institute of Nigeria to plant 2 million trees in one year.
In his vote of thanks, the project coordinator, Gombe Goes Green, Dr. Muazu Shehu thanked Governor Inuwa Yahaya for being an honest friend of the environment.
He disclosed that over 22, 000 economic trees will be planted in the wood lot plantation site in Yamaltu Deba Local Government area.
There were goodwill messages from the Emir of Yamaltu, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, member representing Deba Constituency, Hon. Mohammed Saidu Bala Boltongo, Hon. Commissioner of Education, Dr. Habu Dahiru and Secretary/ Overseer, Yamaltu Deba Local Government.
… as Gombe targets planting of 1.2 million trees this year
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has reiterated his administration’s commitment towards making environmental sustainability the cornerstone of its development agenda.
The Governor stated this at the flag-off of 2020 Gombe Goes Green (3G) Tree Planting Campaign in Wajari district of Yalmatu Deba Local Government Area of the State, with the theme “Greener Gombe for Greater Gombe”.
He said Government will continue to enhance and protect the ecological system upon which all lives and livelihoods depend.
The Governor explained that the overall launch of the Gombe Goes Green (3G) initiative on the 28th of August 2019, was aimed at addressing some of the pressing ecological problems facing the State.
He said the determination of his administration to address these environmental challenges led to the launching of the 3G project which targets the planting of 1 million trees annually over a period of four years.
The Governor said through aggressive afforestation and reforestation, the 3G project seeks to combat land degradation, desertification, erosion, loss of soil nutrients and rehabilitate degraded land.
He explained that since the launch of 3G project, the state has achieved significant milestones in the establishment of eight 20-hectare woodlots in 9 Local Government Areas of the State and planted over 20,000 trees along the major roads within Gombe metropolis.
The Governor further explained that Gombe state has over the years spent huge amounts of its resources in controlling gullies that are threatening social life and physical infrastructure in the metropolis and other local government areas.
He said the unwavering commitment of his administration to environmental sustainability has inspired the State to initiate the largest and most comprehensive environmental restoration project in the North East subregion, the 3G.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said his administration’s resolve to priortise and preserve the environment was necessitated by the realisation of the severity and diversity of the environmental challenges confronting the State.
“It is common knowledge that Gombe is one of the frontline states that is threatened by rapid desert encroachment. Available evidence shows that about two-thirds of our entire state is facing various forms of land degradation such as desertification, deforestation and other negative effects on agricultural productivity leading to declining crop yield”.
He added that, “deforestation is major driver of both desert encroachment and erosion in Gombe state. During the past 4 decades, it is estimated that we have lost between 65 and 96 percent of our entire forest cover largely due to firewood and charcoal extraction, agricultural expansion and urban growth among other factors. As a result of years of unabated deforestation, our state has lost exotic indigenous tree and animal species, witnessed dangerous disruption of carbon and water cycles and loss of livelihoods, especially in our rural communities that depend directly on those resources “.
The Governor said he had already approved the distribution of 200, 000 seedlings to some selected groups and members of the public who are interested in joining Government’s efforts to combat the menace of of environmental decline as a way of intensifying and expanding the tree planting exercise to include social forestry and agroforestry.
He said Government will commence extensive tree planting in schools, hospitals and public buildings across the state in addition to planting along major roads and areas threatened by erosion as well as in barren and degraded lands.
Earlier speaking, the state Commissioner of Environment and Forestry Resources, Dr. Hussaina Danjuma Goje said, 3G is a pet project of Governor Inuwa Yahaya which aims at tackling the wide ranging environmental challenges facing the state, adding that during the last one year, the Governor has kept the project close to his heart by giving her Ministry all the needed support and resources to actualize its mandate.
She disclosed that Gombe state has secured a partnership with Forest Research Institute of Nigeria to plant 2 million trees in one year.
In his vote of thanks, the project coordinator, Gombe Goes Green, Dr. Muazu Shehu thanked Governor Inuwa Yahaya for being an honest friend of the environment.
He disclosed that over 22, 000 economic trees will be planted in the wood lot plantation site in Yamaltu Deba Local Government area.
There were goodwill messages from the Emir of Yamaltu, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, member representing Deba Constituency, Hon. Mohammed Saidu Bala Boltongo, Hon. Commissioner of Education, Dr. Habu Dahiru and Secretary/ Overseer, Yamaltu Deba Local Government.
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