2026 Budget: A Logical Step in Gombe’s Upward Growth – Commissioner

2026 Budget: A Logical Step in Gombe’s Upward Growth – Commissioner

By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe

The Gombe State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Salihu Baba Alkali, has described the 2026 budget presented by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya as a bold and strategic continuation of the administration’s vision to transform the state into a modern, thriving hub of economic empowerment and security.

Speaking shortly after the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly in Gombe, Alkali said the budget was not merely an annual fiscal ritual but “a powerful statement of intent — meticulously designed to secure the state’s immediate, long-term, and intergenerational well-being.”

According to him, the financial architecture of the 2026 budget “tells a story of developmental ambition,” with a total proposed expenditure of ₦535.69 billion. Of this figure, ₦371.44 billion (69.34%) is allocated to capital projects, while ₦164.25 billion (30.66%) is earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

“This aggressive capital-to-recurrent ratio reflects a government focused on building the future, not just servicing the present. It ensures that the bulk of our resources are channelled into tangible assets and projects that will serve our people for decades to come,” he stated.

The Commissioner highlighted several signature mega projects embedded in the 2026 fiscal plan, including the Three Arms Zone, extensive road dualisation, and the State Industrial Park, describing them as “interconnected components of a master plan” aimed at upgrading the state’s infrastructure and economic capacity.

“The Three Arms Zone will modernise governance, the new road networks will serve as commercial arteries, while the Industrial Park will become the economic engine — attracting investment, creating jobs, and positioning Gombe alongside modern cities like Abuja,” Alkali explained.

He further noted that beyond physical infrastructure, the 2026 budget reflects a deep commitment to human capital development. “Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration has ticked all boxes of international best practices,” he said, pointing out that the budget meets the 15% ‘Abuja Declaration’ benchmark for the health sector, reaffirming the government’s commitment to residents’ well-being.

Education, human development, and citizen empowerment also form central pillars of the plan, supported by targeted investments in agriculture and industrialisation to create a synergistic link between agricultural productivity and industrial growth.

Alkali emphasised that the 2026 budget was the product of extensive public consultations, ensuring inclusivity and collective ownership. “Our people were carried along throughout the process. This inclusive approach aligns state priorities with citizens’ needs and fosters trust,” he said.

The Commissioner expressed confidence in the administration’s ability to deliver, noting that Gombe achieved an implementation rate of over 60% in the 2025 budget cycle.

“With that track record, the political will to execute this vision is beyond doubt. The 2026 budget is not just a proposal — it is the next logical step in Gombe’s consistent upward trajectory of growth and development,” Alkali declared.