Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved N120 billion for Gombe State to establish an agro-livestock industrial zone outside the state’s regular federal allocation.
Pantami made the revelation during an interview with Daily Trust, where he highlighted several federal projects and interventions he said the current administration has approved for Gombe State. He explained that the initiative is part of broader efforts to boost agricultural productivity, industrial development, and job creation in the region.
According to him, the funding is separate from the state’s normal revenue allocation and is specifically targeted at developing a large-scale agro-livestock industrial hub capable of transforming the state’s economic base.
According to his words, “Asiwaju approved 120 billion naira for Gombe State to establish an agro-livestock industrial zone. That 120 billion is outside our regular allocation. He also approved the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Kumo, the re-establishment and upgrade of a federal orthopaedic hospital in Billiri and Kaltungo, and many of our citizens are benefiting from NELFUND.”
Pantami further explained that the projects are designed to improve infrastructure and expand access to healthcare and education in the state, while also strengthening economic opportunities for young people and farmers.
He noted that the establishment of the agro-livestock industrial zone is expected to create jobs across various value chains, including livestock production, processing, packaging, and export-oriented agriculture. According to him, such investments are crucial for diversifying Nigeria’s economy away from oil dependency.
The former minister also highlighted federal government interventions in the health sector, pointing to the planned Federal Medical Centre in Kumo and the upgrade of the orthopaedic facilities in Billiri and Kaltungo as major steps toward improving healthcare delivery in Gombe State and surrounding areas.
Pantami added that several indigenes of the state are also benefiting from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he said is helping to ease the financial burden on students in tertiary institutions across the country.
While acknowledging that the Tinubu administration is not without its challenges, Pantami said he prefers to present a balanced assessment of governance rather than focusing solely on shortcomings.
According to him, “I will not be dishonest about either side. There are challenges, but there are also significant achievements that should be acknowledged.”
He argued that many political actors tend to emphasize failures while ignoring progress made by successive administrations, a trend he believes is unfair and counterproductive to national development.
Pantami stressed the importance of constructive criticism in governance, noting that leaders should be held accountable while also being encouraged when they take positive steps toward national growth
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