Why Gombe Is Among Poorest States In Nigeria

By Idris Abubakar

SIR: A recent survey indicated that Gombe State is the third poorest state in Nigeria where most of the citizens live in abject poverty. This startling revelation caused anxiety and concerns with people expressing views on the ranking. 

I therefore pondered on the report and appraised the reasons I think the state is among the poorest which I want to share with the general public and the government, hoping to provide solutions.

Gombe State's economic struggles are glaring, and it is no surprise considering the government's shortcomings. The lack of soft loans for entrepreneurs is a significant setback, as boosting a community's economy requires supporting small business owners with interest-free or low-interest loans. This government has never provided such loans, hindering the growth of local businesses.

Moreover, the government's inadequate support for young politicians and local contractors is another factor contributing to the state's economic woes. 

Awarding contracts to local contractors and empowering young politicians could stimulate the economy, create jobs, and help others. 

However, this has not been the case, and it is hard to find instances of young politicians becoming financially stable courtesy of this present state government.

Furthermore, the limited support for agriculture is also a major concern. The government's fertilizer distribution programme has been ineffective, with most farmers buying from markets due to limited access. 

Typically, rural farmers don't access fertilizer directly, and distribution is often controlled by certain individuals.

Another thing is the non implementation of the minimum wage at the local governments level. Only state civil servants get the N70,000 minimum wage but at the local governments, the wage is still N30,000 which can't sustain any worker for a month. 

These factors collectively impact economic growth, and it is essential to assess the state's economic standing by understanding the livelihoods of its people. By mapping categories of people and conducting interviews, we can evaluate the state's economic situation and identify areas for improvement.

In my opinion, Gombe State's economic struggles are a result of these systemic issues. 

The government needs to prioritise supporting entrepreneurs, local contractors, and farmers to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. Without these essential support systems, the state's economy will likely continue to struggle.

Idris writes from Lawanti, Akko local government.