Northeast Governors Protest Blackout, Plan to Establish Solar Power Plants

The blackout experienced by the North-East region in the past month has been a cause of concern for the Governors Forum, who criticized the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for their lackadaisical approach in resolving the issue.

During their 10th meeting in Bauchi, hosted by Governor Bala Mohammed, the governors expressed their dissatisfaction in a communique signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State.

They have decided to establish solar power plants in each state to generate at least 10 Megawatts and have called on the federal government to push TCN to expedite the restoration of power supply to the region.

Additionally, the Forum highlighted the neglect of the Northeast in the allocation of Federal Government Capital Projects, emphasizing the urgent need for infrastructure development in the region, particularly in terms of road and railway connectivity.

The condition of the roads connecting Enugu to Maiduguri is lamentable, and the railway linking these two cities has been rendered unusable. This transportation route plays a crucial role in facilitating regional trade, fostering integration, peacebuilding efforts, and enhancing national unity.

The Forum highlighted that the region has been overlooked in the National Infrastructure Plan’s shift from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

It urged the federal government to address this issue promptly by initiating the reconstruction of essential infrastructure along the Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor and ensuring that the North East region is incorporated into all national development plans and projects.

Among the governors in attendance at the meeting were Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.