The North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has once again expressed its worry over what it perceives as the neglect of the Northeast in the distribution of Federal Government Capital Projects.
Following its 10th meeting in Bauchi State, the forum, led by its Chairman and Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, stated that despite their repeated appeals for attention to the region’s infrastructure, there seems to be no significant action taken.
Over the years, the forum has highlighted the deteriorating road and railway infrastructure along the economic corridors connecting the Northeast subregion to the rest of Nigeria. They pointed out the deplorable state of the roads from Enugu to Maiduguri and the destruction of the railway from Enugu to Maiduguri.
These routes are crucial for regional trade and play a significant role in fostering integration, peace-building, and enhancing national unity. The forum also noted that the region has been excluded from the National Infrastructure Plan for the transition from PMS to Compressed Gas.
The forum is urging the Federal Government to address the situation by considering the reconstruction of these essential infrastructures along the Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor and including the Northeast in all National Development Plans and initiatives.
The forum expressed its disappointment over the blackout experienced by the region over the past month and the apparent indifference shown by the TCN in addressing this nationally significant issue. The forum is closely monitoring the commitment made by TCN to restore power to all the states of the region by the 27th of May, 2024, and is urging the Federal Government to direct TCN to take immediate action.
In the short term, the forum has decided to establish a solar power plant capable of generating a minimum of 10 Megawatts per state. The forum expressed deep concern that the Northeast is the only region in Nigeria with a single transmission line supplying six states, making it the most vulnerable and disadvantaged region for industrial development and economic growth.
The forum is calling on the Minister of Power and the Federal Government 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. The forum has resolved to maximise the existing hydropower generated in Kashimbilla and Dadin Kowa dams, which the region has not been benefitting from due to the Ministry of Power’s failure to extend the 330KV line of Makurdi – Gassol- Jalingo line.
