By: Monday Munkaila, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya alongside the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, commissioned the newly completed Mega Motor Park in Gombe.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya described the Ultra-Modern Motor Park as a landmark project that signifies his administration’s commitment to providing top-tier transport infrastructure for the people of Gombe State, saying the park will improve connectivity within Gombe and also position the state as a vital transportation hub in the north-east subregion.
The Governor commended his predecessor and Senator representing Gombe North Senatorial District, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, for initiating the Mega Park project, saying the facility and other invaluable contributions of the former Governor to the progress of Gombe state informed his decision to name the park after him as ‘Ibrahim Dankwambo Mega Motor Park’.
“I would like to begin by acknowledging and appreciating my predecessor, the now Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, who initiated this project and for whom the project is being named after today. Naming this Mega Motor Park after him is a testament to our shared belief that governance transcends political affiliations. It is a recognition of his invaluable contributions to the progress of our dear state”, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said.
“Today’s commissioning ceremony is a culmination of hard work and dedication of many stakeholders and partners. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all those who have contributed to the successful completion of this project. From the engineers and construction workers to the planners and task-force members, your tireless efforts have made this vision a reality. This is just one milestone in our ongoing journey towards progress and development. Our administration will continue to pursue projects that uplift our state and improve the quality of life for all the people”, the Governor added.
“When I came into office, I found the project at about 45% completion. Initially awarded at N3,290,059,824.70, it was revised twice by the former administration to N4,668,142,811.15 and N6,028,461,292.75 in 2016 and 2018 respectively. In 2020, my administration revised the contract to N7,658,638,251.73 and added additional features including the trailer park to further enhance the functionality of the park”.
In his remarks, the Minister of Transportion, Sen. Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for the successful completion and commissioning of the Mega Motor Park, stating that the project is truly unique and remarkable within the Nigerian transportation sector which he said points the way for other states to follow.
The Minister further commended the Governor for transforming the infrastructural landscape of the state by completing ongoing projects and initiating and constructing new ones, building on the legacies of the former Governors regardless of political differences while acknowledging the remarkable accomplishments of the Governor over the last five years.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Commitee on Land Transport and former Governor of Kebbi State, Sen. Adamu Aliero, said he was impressed with the mega park project, saying the necessary facilities has made Gombe as a pace setter in terms of building ultra-modern motor facilities in Nigeria, while urging other Governors to emulate Gombe and have similar projects for enhanced economic activities.
“Gombe is a pace setter in terms of building mega motor parks in Nigeria based on the facilities I have seen. This is a very important achievement that is worth commending. I urge the Governors of Kano, Kaduna, Borno, and other states to follow Gombe’s example. With a unified mega park like this, it is easier to control the movement of drivers and passengers coming into Gombe by implementing strict monitoring by the authorities to improve security”, Sen. Aliero said.
“”I must also commend the Governor for what I have seen in Gombe. I have seen significant improvement in the delivery of quality infrastructure in the state. I toured the city, and the development I observed was amazing. Based on what I have seen, the level of development in Gombe city can be equated with the development in other capital cities of states created in 1975”, he added.
In his remarks, Alh. Abubakar Bello Sabonkudi (Cikasoron Gombe), representing the immediate past Governor of Gombe State and current Senator for the Gombe North Senatorial District, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, expressed appreciation to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for naming the Mega Motor Park in honour of his predecessor despite their political differences, commending the Governor for this noble gesture while highlighting that it reflects Gombe’s unique tradition of setting aside political differences to work collectively towards initiatives that elevate the state.
In his remarks, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Dr Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, CFR thanked Inuwa Yahaya on behalf of the people of Gombe state for completing the project, acknowledging the Governor’s remarkable accomplishments in critical sectors of growth and development over the last five years.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Gombe State Revenue Optimisation Company Limited (GROCOL), Arc. Yunusa Yakubu, explained that the park is an important project that has the potential to transform the transportation sector in Gombe and contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the state.
“The just commissioned Ibrahim Dankwambo Mega Motor Park is an important project that has the potential to transform the transportation landscape of Gombe state. The project is designed to be a central hub that will enhance connectivity, boast economic activities and improve the quality of life for our people. The potential impact of this park is immense. It will streamline transportation, reduce congestion and create numerous jobs opportunities while contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of our state”, the GROCOL Chairman said as contained in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe.
