By Gbenga Oke
A group, Gombe Patriots for Development, has called on the government of Gombe State to pay contractors who have handled jobs for the state.

Coordinator of the group, Waziri Gubiya, said in a statement that though the recession was affecting all, government should ensure contractors were paid promptly.

He said: “We laud some initiatives and programmes of the governor. However, it is unfortunate that contractors, who have worked diligently for the state and laboured to add to the state’s development and empowerment of youths, have been abandoned without payment.

“This predicament is affecting youths of this state terribly, taking into consideration that many youths are now out of business and jobs created when contractors were on site.

“As we celebrate our 20 years anniversary, it is important that those who have laboured to build the state are not left behind as they form a major employment bracket in the state, with families highly dependent on them.

“We are aware that the recession is affecting the economy, but the state government must find a way of paying the contractors, even if it is in batches.
“The neglect of contractors, as regards financial obligations, is impacting negatively on Gombe State.”