GOSUPDA Records Significant Progress in Urban Planning, Land Management — Samanja

By Ya u Waziri Gombe.

The Gombe State Urban Planning Development Authority (GOSUPDA) has recorded significant progress in urban planning, land management and development across Gombe metropolis and its surrounding areas, the agency’s immediate past Executive Chairman, Bappayo Samanja, has said.

Samanja disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Gombe, noting that his tenure witnessed the introduction of several reforms aimed at supporting the developmental initiatives of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration.

According to him, one of his major achievements was increasing public awareness of GOSUPDA and its responsibilities. He said that before his assumption of office, many residents were not sufficiently aware of the agency’s existence or the importance of its mandate.

He explained that sustained public enlightenment helped improve residents’ understanding of urban planning regulations and contributed to the agency’s ability to achieve many of its development objectives.

Samanja also highlighted the introduction of weekly enforcement operations as one of the key reforms implemented during his tenure. He said the initiative helped to prevent and reduce the construction of illegal structures while strengthening compliance with urban planning regulations.

He further disclosed that the agency generated substantial revenue during his tenure, exceeding its regular revenue targets.

Samanja said the agency’s performance and commitment were also recognised by the National Youth Forum, which honoured him with an Ambassador award, describing the recognition as an encouragement to continue contributing to the development of the state.

He stressed that the activities and operations undertaken by GOSUPDA during his tenure were consistent with the land reforms and urban planning policies of the Inuwa Yahaya administration.

The former chairman expressed appreciation to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for giving him the opportunity to serve and contribute to the development of Gombe State.

He also thanked residents of Gombe for their patience, cooperation and support, which he said enabled the agency to effectively and efficiently carry out its mandate.

Samanja urged residents to extend the same support and cooperation to his successor, saying such collaboration would be crucial to sustaining the progress already recorded and consolidating the developmental milestones achieved by the agency.

He further assured that he would continue to support Governor Inuwa Yahaya in various capacities toward the development of Gombe State.

Samanja added that, with the general elections approaching, the support of stakeholders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be important for the success of the party at all levels in Gombe State and the country.