By Chibisi Ohakah, Abuja
Governors of North East of Nigeria, under the aegis of North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), have called on the country’s federal government to complete the Kashimbila and Dadin Kowa hydro-electric power projects. The two power projects are located in Taraba and Gombe states respectively.
They argue that the completion of the power projects will quicken socioeconomic development in the state in the region, namely, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States.
Rising from the Forum’s sixth meeting, where a six point communiqué was issued yesterday, the group of governors lamented the challenges of unsteady power supply to the Northeast, which they said is seriously affecting the economy of the region.
Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum, who doubles as the Forum’s chairman stated in the five-point communiqué, the six-member forum notes with dismay the plunging of Maiduguri and its environs into darkness since January, 2021.
He decried the non-commissioning of the Dadin Kowa and Kashimbila hydro power projects in Taraba and Gombe states. He therefore appealed to the federal government to “increase investments in education, health and agricultural sectors to guarantee peace and economic development.”
Governor Zulum said there is nothing stopping the federal government from making adequate budgetary provisions in 2022 to implement what they described as livelihood recovery projects.
“The National Assembly should also critically consider the region for adequate budgetary provisions to implement all capital projects in six states,” said the communiqué.
While lamenting kidnappings and farmer/herders clashes, Zulum said: “We’ve also resolved to put in measures curtail the menaces to life and property.”
Zulum also urged for the establishment of a sustainable programme for the over 19,000 Boko Haram repentant terrorists and their families, as there is significant improvement in security.
Governors Mai Mala Buni and Muhammad Yahaya of Yobe and Gombe states attended the Tuesday meeting with the deputy governors of Adamawa, Bauchi and Taraba states, were respectively represented by Chief Seth Crowther, Sen. Baba Tela and Haruna Manu.
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