The Northeast Governors Forum NEGF has called on the Transmission Company of Nigeria to urgently restore power to the region as the lack thereof has already crippled economic activities of it’s people.
This was contained in a commuunique issued at the end of the 10th Meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum which held in Bauchi State on friday, 17th – May, 2024, under the Chairmanship of Borno state Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa state, while reading communique, stated that the Forum has resolved to establish a 10 megawatt solar power plant in each state while urged the federal government to direct TCN to redouble effort to restore the energy supply to region.
“Forum notes with dismay, the blackout experienced by the region over the last one month and the nonchalant attitude exhibited by the TCN in addressing this issue of National importance for the security and development of the country.
Forum is watching keenly the commitment made by TCN to restore power to all the state of the region by the 27th May, 2024; accordingly, the Forum urged the Federal Government to direct TCN to take immediate action. the Forum has resolved in the short term, to set up a solar power plant that can generate a minimum 10 Megawatts per State”
The NEGF also called on the Northeast Development Commission to liase with the state Governments to harness energy potentials to address energy deficit of the region.
It noted that the contractual encumbrances on some of the bad federal roads within and between the states are major setbacks to infrastructure development in the region.
It also notes with dismay, the poor rail system in the region, including the repairs on the old gauge rail lines especially along Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor.
The forum called for inclusion of the region in the Nigerian National Railway Transport Plan using the modern gauge rail and the National Road Plan from which it said the region was conspicuously missing.
“Forum notes with deep concern that the Northeast, is the only region in Nigeria that has one transmission line supplying six states with a land mass of nearly 300,000 square kilometres and a population of over 35 million. This has made the region the most vulnerable and most disadvantaged for industrial development and economic growth with over 70% of its population below 35 years of age. Forum therefore calls on the Minister of Power and indeed the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to implement the extension of the 330KV transmission line from Makurdi – Gassol – Jalingo linking to Adamawa – Gombe – Bauchi and the extension of the 330KV line from Kano- Bauchi- Yobe, linking to Borno”.
The forum said there was a need for a robust platform for regional economic development and resolved to work as an entity in strengthening the human capacity and socio-economic development of its people.
The governors expressed delight at the growing cooperation and collaboration among member states, especially in areas of Trade and investment, a move that lead to the organization of Northeast Trade Fair and reaffirmed commitment to foster a common ground and pursue a collective cause on matters of security, social and economic integration of the region, among others.
It then Commended The Bauchi state Government for hosting the Meeting as well as the Trade Fair and announced Damaturu, The Yobe state Capital as the venue for the 11th NEGF Meeting scheduled for August 2024.
