From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The Gombe State Government has initiated moves to establish 13 new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) from the existing 11 Local Government Areas of the state.
According to a proposal which was forwarded to the State House of Assembly by the state governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya as a bill for consideration, the LCDAs will serve as administrative subdivisions of the current LGAs.
This was disclosed in a statement that was issued by the Director General of Press Affairs at the Gombe state government house, Ismail Uba Misilli. It explained that the initiative is aimed at bringing governance closer to the people, improving service delivery, and promoting participatory democracy.
Misilli added that the plan targets rural and underserved communities, with focus areas including security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social services.
The government said the LCDAs will also collaborate with traditional rulers and community leaders in line with the Gombe State Chieftaincy Law to maintain peace, enhance local development, and address emerging security challenges.
“If passed, the bill provides for Interim Management Committees to oversee each LCDA until substantive local elections are conducted. The rollout will be phased, with defined operational frameworks, staffing structures, and budgetary provisions from inception,” Misilli stated.
He further disclosed that the governor urged lawmakers to give the bill speedy passage, describing the initiative as a “visionary step” to consolidate inclusive governance in the state. He also called on residents to support the reform, which he said would reinforce the state’s leadership role in grassroots-driven development in Nigeria.
According to him, the proposed 13 LCDAs and their designated headquarters are as follows: Akko North (headquarters in Amada), Akko West (headquarters in Pindiga) ,Balanga South (headquarters in Bambam), Billiri West (headquarters in Tal) and Dukku North (headquarters in Malala).
Others are, Funakaye South (headquarters in Tongo), Gombe South (headquarters in Bolari), Kaltungo East (headquarters in Wange), Kwami West (headquarters in Bojude), Nafada South(headquarters in Birin Fulani) as well as Pero-Chonge (headquarters in Filiya) and Yamaltu East (headquarters in Hinna) and Yamaltu West (headquarters in Zambuk).
