Gombe Approves N1.65bn For Airport Rehabilitation, Solar Lighting

The Gombe State Government has approved N1.65 billion for the rehabilitation of the Brigadier Zakari Maimalari International Airport and installation of solar-powered street lights along its access corridor.

The approval was made at the 55th meeting of the Gombe State Executive Council on Friday, presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

Under the intervention, the Council approved N414.3 million to repair washouts at the airport caused by recent heavy rainfall.

It also approved N839.5 million for the renovation and furnishing of airport facilities, including the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and restoration of the airport’s fire service truck.

The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Muhammad Saidu Fawu, disclosed that the Council further ratified a N400.5 million contract for the procurement and installation of 198 solar-powered street lights along the four-kilometre corridor linking the Hajj Camp to the airport, including internal airport roads.

The government said the airport renovation is expected to improve operational efficiency, strengthen emergency response capability and enhance compliance with aviation safety standards.

The council maintained that the restoration of the fire service truck is particularly significant to strengthen the airport’s emergency response capacity.

The solar-lighting project is also expected to improve visibility and security along the airport corridor, particularly at night.

However, the intervention also comes after recent rainfall in Akko axis that caused washouts at the airport.

For many in Gombe, with the combined investment, attention will now shift to the timely execution, quality and sustainability of the projects, particularly the rehabilitation works and measures to prevent further weather-related damage to airport infrastructure.