THE North-East Governors Forum (NEGF) has berated the Federal Government over the latter’s seeming neglect of the North-East in the allocation of capital projects.
The forum comprising governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States, noted that despite its cry for attention on the state of infrastructure in the subregion, nothing serious seems to be happening.
This was contained in a communique issued in the early hours of Saturday at the end of the 10th regular meeting of the forum held at the Government House, Bauchi and signed by the chairman of forum and Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum.
The forum particularly noted that roads that link Enugu to Maiduguri are in deplorable state and the railway from Enugu up to Maiduguri has been completely destroyed.
The forum called on the Federal Government to look into the situation and consider the reconstruction of these basic infrastructure along Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor and inclusion of North-East in all national development plans and initiatives.
It further noted with dismay, the blackout experienced by the subregion over the last one month and the nonchalant attitude exhibited by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in addressing this issue for the security and development of the country.
The forum said it is keenly watching the commitment made by TCN to restore power to all the States of the region by the 27th May, 2024 and urged the FG to direct TCN to take immediate action.
The forum has therefore resolved in the short term, to set up a solar power plant that can generate a minimum 10 megawatts per state.
The forum also noted with deep concern that the North-East, 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.
It added that the development has made the subregion the most vulnerable and most disadvantaged for industrial development and economic growth with over 70% of its population below 35 years of age.
It therefore called on the minister of power and the FG to urgently 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.
It also resolved to maximise the existing hydropower generated in Kashimbilla and Dadin Kowa dam which the region has not been benefitting from because the ministry of power has failed to extend the 330KV line of Makurdi-Gassol-Jalingo line.
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