North-East Governors Lament Over Federal Government’s Neglect Of The State

North-East Governors Lament Over Federal Government’s Neglect Of The State 

Published on May 18, 2024
By Noah Abdulsalam

The North-East Governors’ Forum expressed frustration on Saturday over the Federal Government’s neglect of their region…..read also Northeast Governors Decry Region’s Blackout, Plan To Establish Solar Power Plants

In a communique from their 10th meeting in Bauchi State, signed by NEGF Chairman Prof Babagana Zulum, the governors urged the government to prioritize the region for development.

The communique stated, “The Forum reiterates its concern over the seeming neglect of the North-East in the allocation of Federal Government capital projects.” It highlighted ongoing issues with infrastructure, particularly poor road and railway conditions along key economic corridors connecting the North-East to the rest of Nigeria.

The governors noted the deplorable state of the Enugu-Maiduguri roads and the destroyed railway line, which are vital for regional trade and national unity. They also pointed out the exclusion of the North-East from the National Infrastructure Plan for transitioning to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

The Forum called for immediate action to rebuild basic infrastructure along the Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor and to include the North-East in all national development plans.

Regarding the power blackout that has plagued the region for the past month, the NEGF criticized the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for its poor handling of repairs. They are monitoring TCN’s commitment to restore power by May 27 and urged the government to ensure TCN’s compliance. In the short term, the governors plan to set up solar power plants generating at least 10 megawatts per state.

Expressing concern over the region’s sole transmission line serving a population of over 35 million, the Forum called for urgent extension of the 330KV transmission line from Makurdi to Bauchi and Yobe, and from Kano to Borno. They also urged the government to utilize existing hydroelectric dams to boost power supply, specifically the underutilized Kashimbilla and Dadin Kowa dams.