Proposed FMC tears Gombe lawmakers apart

Some federal lawmakers from Gombe South have accused Senator Danjuma Goje of sabotaging the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Billiri, Gombe State.

They made the accusation in a statement Monday jointly signed by Victor Mela Danzaria (Billiri Federal Constituency), Karu Simon Elisha (Kaltungo Shongom) and Senator Bulus Amos (Gombe South).

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But Goje dismissed the allegation, saying he had supported bills sponsored by federal legislators from Gombe South, including the one for the establishment of federal polytechnic, Kaltungo sponsored by Senator Joshua Lidani.  

Two bills seeking the establishment of FMCs in Gombe State are currently before the Senate and House of Representatives. 

One is seeking the proposed FMC to be cited in Billiri, the other, sponsored by Goje, proposed Deba as the host of the tertiary health facility. 

The House bill was passed on July 8, 2021 and was transmitted to the Senate for concurrence on September 16, 2021. However, Goje’s bill passed second reading in the Senate in September 2021. 

Federal government establishes only one FMC in each state of the federation. 

The Gombe South lawmakers described Goje’s bill for the establishment of another FMC in Deba as a divisive plot to subvert a bill passed by the House for the same FMC in Billiri. They, therefore, urged the Senate to stop further deliberations on Goje’s bill.

“The senators must not allow themselves to be unwittingly used to create disaffection in Gombe. 

“To do so is to rupture the giant developmental works in Gombe under the leadership of our patriotic leader and governor, Alhaji Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya which could only have been achieved in the prevailing atmosphere of peace in the state.

“A bill on the same subject matter has been duly passed, it is awaiting concurrence of the Senate, Senator Goje knows too well that the federal government cannot afford two federal medical centre in Gombe state, what then is his motive for sponsoring similar bill when he could have canvassed support for the already passed bill at the senate?,” they queried. 

However, Goje, through his media aide, Lilian Nworie, said citing the proposed FMC in Deba would serve three states of Gombe, Adamawa and Borno because the town is strategically located on the highways connecting some local governments in North East.