The Gombe State Executive Council on Wednesday approved the sum of N5 billion loan for the construction of 1000 low-income housing units in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr Julius Ishaya, disclosed this at a press briefing after the state executive council meeting held at the council chamber of the Government House.

He said the council presided over by Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, has approved that the loan, to be secured from the Family Housing Fund, in order to address housing deficit in the state.

Mr Ishaya stated that the council has deliberated on the land administration and masterplan of Gombe metropolis, “where it noted that the integration of customary land title owners into a government layout to enable provision of social amenities to people without payment of compensations.”

The commissioner further revealed that the council has received assessment report on the Billiri crisis, which contained the detailed the number of properties destroyed and value attached.

He said the findings by the assessment committee on the crisis indicated that 41 houses valued at N94.6 million were affected, while 401 business premises valued at N385 million were destroyed during the crisis.

Ishaya further said 33 worship centres valued at N33.1 million were either burnt down or vandalised.

“Other property affected include vehicles, motorcycles, orchards and animals which were either destroyed, missing or stolen valued N31.4 million. As such, the overall total of property destroyed as valued by the assessment committee stood at N542,358,468,” he said

According to him, in lieu of the assessment, the council has approved the payment of compensation to individuals that lost loved ones and properties, adding that a committee has been set up to draw out modalities for the payment.

Source:- Daily Trust