Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has said that the state is benefiting from the Federal Government’s decision to remove fuel subsidy, noting that the reform has improved funding for development projects. He made this known on Tuesday during the presentation of cheques and payment of outstanding gratuities to state and local government retirees in Gombe.
Yahaya explained that the removal of fuel subsidy was a necessary step to prevent the country’s economy from collapsing, stressing that the policy has led to a significant rise in federal allocations to states. This, he said, has enabled his administration to embark on more meaningful projects across Gombe State.
“The reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration are tough but necessary to secure a better future for Nigerians,” the governor said. “Because of the increased allocations, we have been able to execute more development projects that would have been impossible without these funds.”
Speaking on retirees’ welfare, Yahaya announced the disbursement of ₦8.2 billion in gratuity arrears to 3,204 retirees. The payment includes ₦6.6 billion for 2,142 state retirees covering 2021 to 2023, and ₦1.6 billion for 1,062 local government retirees.
He added that since assuming office in 2019, his administration has paid a total of ₦33.8 billion in gratuities, the highest in Gombe State’s history. Yahaya said this demonstrates his government’s strong commitment to the welfare of retirees who dedicated their years of service to the state.