North-East govs express concern over non-commissioning of hydropower plants

The North-East Governors Forum has expressed concerns over the non-commissioning of the Dadin Kowa and Kashimbila hydropower plants which is stalling development of the sub-region, appealing to the Federal Government to increase its investments in the sub-region to guarantee peace and economic prosperity.

The forum, at the end of its meeting held in Damaturu, Yobe State, issued a communique in which it stated that it deliberated extensively on the Mambilla Hydroelectric project and called on the National Assembly and the Federal Government to make adequate budgetary provision in the 2022 appropriation bill for the implementation of the project.

The forum, while recognising that the 2022 budget is in its final stages, called on the National Assembly to look critically at the sub-region with a view to ensuring that adequate budgetary provisions are made for all major capital projects in the sub-region.

According to the communique signed by Professor Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State who is the Chairman of the forum, the forum deliberated on a presentation by the Minister of Power on planned and ongoing power projects in the North-East which highlighted the challenges of steady power supply to the sub-region.

The forum also noted with dismay, the near one year lack of electricity in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its environs urging the Federal Government to urgently find a lasting solution.

The forum also noted the significant improvement in the security situation in the sub-region as evidenced by the mass surrender of Boko Haram fighters and commended the Federal Government for its various initiatives towards stabilising the sub-region.

In attendance at the meeting were the governors of Borno, Gombe and Yobe states, while the governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, and Taraba states were represented by their deputies.