The Gombe government has approved N43.13 billion to construct the governor’s residence, House of Assembly and High Court complex.

The Commissioner for Information, Tilde Mijinyawa, stated this at the end of the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting on Tuesday in Gombe.

He said the council also approved N10.4 billion for constructing 77-kilometre roads in Kwami Funakaye, Nafada and Yamaltu-Deba local government areas.

Also speaking, Umaru Kallama, Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, said the contractors would soon be mobilised to facilitate the commencement of work in earnest.

Mr Kallama said the council also approved the construction of Gombe State Security, Traffic, and Environmental Corps office accommodation to enhance the operation of the Hattara Security outfit.

Aishatu Maigari, Commissioner for Education, said the SEC approved N549 million for payment of registration fees for the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (MBAIS) for 19,840 indigent students.

She said the students were in 151 senior secondary schools comprising those on exchange programmes.

Ms Maigari said 19,000 out of the 23,000 students passed the mock examination, adding that “In 2019, when Governor Inuwa Yahaya assumed office, only 22 per cent of students were getting five credits and above.

“In 2023, we had 67.8 per cent who passed with five credits, including mathematics and English.”

(NAN)