Federal Orthopaedic Hospital Gombe Gets Lifeline as Ali Isah Releases N1bn

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ali Isah, has disclosed that he committed ₦1 billion from his constituency intervention allocation to fast-track the take-off of the newly established Federal Orthopaedic Hospital in Gombe State, saying he would not wait until 2027 before the project begins operations.

The lawmaker, who represents Billiri/Balanga Federal Constituency, said the intervention became necessary because the hospital, though already backed by legislation and presidential assent, was unable to secure full budgetary provision in the current federal appropriation cycle due to timing constraints.

Hon. Ali Isah made the disclosure after leading a delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in Gombe, where he said the purpose of the visit was to appreciate the governor for his support in ensuring the hospital becomes operational without delay.

He explained that despite the creation of a budget line for the facility, the hospital programme was initiated after the executive submitted its budget proposal to the National Assembly, leaving no room for full capital provision for the construction and take-off of the institution in the current budget.

According to him, while the hospital may eventually be captured in a supplementary budget or the 2027 appropriation, he considered it too important to allow it to remain on paper.

“As the member representing the constituency and the person who initiated the bill and made it happen, I feel I don’t need to wait for 2027 for the hospital to take off. I personally put ₦1 billion through my envelope to enable the hospital to commence,” he said.

The lawmaker revealed that a temporary site had already been secured for the commencement of activities, while Governor Inuwa Yahaya had also offered a permanent site for the institution.

He said the governor further pledged the support of the Gombe State Ministry of Health and other relevant state structures to ensure that the hospital begins operation as soon as possible.

Hon. Isah described the governor’s intervention as a major boost to the project, noting that the state government had shown strong commitment not only to the orthopaedic hospital but also to the broader improvement of healthcare delivery in Gombe.

He added that the governor also spoke about ongoing efforts to renovate and upgrade regional hospitals across the state as part of a wider healthcare strengthening agenda.

The federal lawmaker said the proposed orthopaedic hospital is not only a constituency project but also a strategic medical institution that would serve patients from Gombe State, the Northeast, and much of Northern Nigeria.

According to him, the facility would provide specialised treatment for orthopaedic and disability-related conditions and help reduce the pressure on the few existing referral centres in the region.

He noted that many patients in the northern part of the country currently travel long distances to access advanced orthopaedic care, stressing that the Gombe-based facility would help close a major healthcare gap.

“The importance of the hospital is not only to my constituents. “I believe this hospital will be one of the major hospitals that will serve not only the Northeast but most parts of the northern states of this country,” he said.

He explained that beyond treating fractures and trauma cases, the institution is expected to improve access to specialist medical services for accident victims, persons living with disabilities, and patients requiring advanced bone and joint care.

On his decision to continue working closely with Governor Inuwa Yahaya despite belonging to different political camps, Hon. Isah said governance should not be reduced to partisan rivalry when the welfare of the people is at stake.

He said his experience in public office has shown that development can only be accelerated when elected leaders at the state and federal levels collaborate in the interest of citizens.

“Governance is not a one-man affair. I cannot be in the National Assembly and operate alone. I have to partner with my governor to ensure that my people enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he stated.

The lawmaker praised Governor Inuwa Yahaya for what he described as his openness to development-orientated initiatives, saying the governor has consistently supported federal lawmakers in attracting and executing projects across the state.

He said such cooperation has made it easier for him to site and implement projects in his constituency, including roads, schools and health facilities, unlike in some places where federal legislators often face resistance in securing land or institutional backing for constituency interventions.

Hon. Isah said the relationship between the state government and members of the National Assembly from Gombe has continued to yield visible results for the people and should be strengthened rather than politicised.

His remarks also touched on the growing political tension within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the wider uncertainty surrounding alignments ahead of the next electoral cycle.

While responding to questions on the crisis in his party and reports of defections by some of his colleagues, the minority leader said consultations were still ongoing and that he would soon make his political position known.

He disclosed that political issues formed part of his discussions during the visit but declined to give a definite answer on his next move.

“We are still discussing, we are still consulting, and as soon as possible, I will make my position clear about the crisis we are facing in the PDP and my next political step,” he said.

He, however, maintained that as a legislator involved in the passage of the country’s electoral law, he remains fully aware of the legal and procedural framework guiding political decisions ahead of future elections.

The development is expected to further fuel political interest in Gombe, where shifting alliances and strategic consultations have continued to shape conversations ahead of the next round of major political contests.

With the proposed Federal Orthopaedic Hospital now receiving both legislative backing and financial commitment for takeoff, the project is already being seen as one of the most significant health-sector interventions to emerge from Gombe in recent years.