Northeast Governors Decry Region’s Blackout, Plan To Establish Solar Power Plants

Northeast Governors Decry Region’s Blackout, Plan To Establish Solar Power Plants

The North-East Governors Forum has expressed deep concern over the recent blackout experienced in the region over the past month…..read also Breaking: Zulum, Fintiri, And Other Leaders Convene In Bauchi For 10th Northeast Governors’ Forum Meeting (Photos)

Criticizing the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for what they perceive as a lackadaisical approach to resolving the issue, the governors voiced their dissatisfaction in a communique issued at the conclusion of their 10th meeting held in Bauchi on Saturday, hosted by Governor Bala Mohammed at the Government House.

In the communique, signed by the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, the governors announced plans to establish solar power plants capable of generating a minimum of 10 Megawatts per state in the short term. They also urged the federal government to compel TCN to intensify efforts in restoring power supply to the region.

The communique stated, “The Forum notes with dismay the blackout experienced by the region over the last month and the nonchalant attitude exhibited by the TCN in addressing this issue of national importance for the security and development of the country. The Forum is closely monitoring TCN’s commitment to restoring power to all states in the region by May 27, 2024; accordingly, the Forum urges the Federal Government to direct TCN to take immediate action.”

Additionally, the Forum reiterated concerns regarding the neglect of the Northeast in the allocation of Federal Government Capital Projects. Despite consistent appeals for attention to infrastructure development in the region, particularly the poor state of roads and railways along economic corridors linking the Northeast to the rest of the country, little progress has been observed.

The Forum highlighted the deplorable condition of roads from Enugu to Maiduguri and the destruction of the railway along the same route, which is crucial for regional trade, integration, peace-building, and national unity.

Furthermore, the Forum expressed disappointment over the exclusion of the Northeast from the National Infrastructure Plan for transitioning from PMS to Compressed Gas, urging the federal government to address these infrastructural challenges and ensure the region’s inclusion in national development plans and initiatives.

Present at the meeting were governors Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe,