A group known as Gombe Patriots for Development, has called on Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo to offset the bills of contractors who have handled several projects in the state.
The group made the call just as the state was celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its creation.
According to the GPD, offsetting the debts owed contractors was the only way through which the economy of the state could be quickly revived.
It lamented that the situation was crippling the state’s economy.
The coordinator of the group, Waziri Ahmad Gubiya, who stated this in Gombe while lauding some initiatives and programmes of Governor Dankwambo, said it was, however, unfortunate that contractors who had worked diligently in the state and laboured to add to the state’s development and empowerment of youths, have been abandoned without payment.
“It is unfortunate that the predicament of contractors is terribly affecting the youth of this state. Many of our youths are now out of business and jobs.
“A lot of contractors in the state are being owed, and this is affecting the economy of the state terribly. As we celebrate our 20th year anniversary, it is important that those who have laboured to build the state are not left behind. They form a major employment bracket in the state, with families highly dependent on them”, the Patriots stated.
The group said it decided to join in the call to pay the contractors because the situation was having a devastating effect on the people.
“It is true that the recession in the country is affecting the economy largely, however, Governor Dankwambo must find a way of paying the contractors even if it is in batches. Just as the federal government has released some money into the system for capital projects, it is our belief that the governor of Gombe State would pay contractors to stimulate the economy of the state”, the group added.
