Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, Chairman, NEGF and Governor, Borno State
By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The North-East Governors Forum (NEGF) has berated the Federal Government and reiterated its concern over the seeming neglect of the North-East in the allocation of Federal Capital Projects.
The Forum noted with dismay that despite its cry for attention on the State of infrastructure in the subregion which has been consistently echoed in all its communique over the years, especially the poor road and railway infrastructure along the economic corridors that links the North-East subregion to the rest of the country, nothing serious seems to be happening.
These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the 10th regular meeting of the Forum held at the Government House, Bauchi on Friday signed by the Chairman, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State.
The Forum particularly noted that, Roads from Enugu to Maiduguri is in deplorable State and the railway from Enugu up to Maiduguri has been completely destroyed.
It added that, “This is a major route for regional trade and very important for integration, peace building and improving national unity. The region is also not included in the National Infrastructure Plan for the transition from PMS to Compressed Gas.”
The Forum is calling on the Federal Government to look into the situation and consider the reconstruction of these basic infrastructure along Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor and inclusion of North-East in all National Development Plans and initiatives.
Forum further noted with dismay, the blackout experienced by the subregion over the last one month and the nonchalant attitude exhibited by the TCN in addressing this issue of National importance for the security and development of the country.
Forum is watching keenly the commitment made by TCN to restore power to all the States of the region by the 27th May, 2024; accordingly, the Forum urged the Federal Government to direct TCN to take immediate action.
The Forum has therefore resolved in the short term, to set up a solar power plant that can generate a minimum 10 Megawatts per State.
The Forum also noted with deep concern that the North-East, is the only region in Nigeria that has one transmission line supplying six states with a land mass of nearly 300,000 square kilometres and a population of over 35 million.
This has made the subregion the most vulnerable and most disadvantaged for industrial development and economic growth with over 70% of its population below 35 years of age.
Forum therefore called on the Minister of Power and indeed the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to 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.
Forum also resolved to maximise the existing hydropower generated in Kashimbilla and Dadin Kowa dam which the region has not been benefitting from because of the Ministry of Power has failed to extend the 330KV line of Makurdi – Gassol- Jalingo line.
Forum noted that climate change and environmental degradation remains a reality in the region as it appreciated the various states for the policies they are putting in place to reclaim the environment.
It called for a more sustained and coordinated regional onslaught to reverse the speed of desertification in the region.
Forum charged the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to be consultative in its dealings, operation and project prioritization calling on the NEDC to work with the States in the subregion for Energy Development to unlock the energy potentials of the region and lessen the energy paucity burden of the people.
The Forum reiterated its commitment to foster a common ground and pursue collective course for the benefit of their people acknowledging that the Team has come of age; holding its 10th meeting is a pointer that the States and the Governors are on the right path and it should be sustained.
Forum commended the Bauchi State Government for hosting the North-East Trade Fair, following the decision of the Forum at the 8th Meeting in Maiduguri stressing that the Trade Fair is an important tool for promoting regional commerce, opening the region to investors and above all a proof that decision once, agreed by the Forum can be translated into action.
Forum noted that the world is passing through a horrific food security crisis, especially with the war in Ukraine, climate, change and poor agricultural practice.
In the North East, Member states, resolved to continue to invest in Agriculture Value Chain and encourage the transformation of subsistence farming into SMEs.
The member states of the Forum will support the procurement of improved drought-resistant and short-maturation seedlings, subsidise fertilizers and ensure that the region specialises in the production of such seeds and resolved to partner with OCP Africa to support Agriculture in the Northeast.
Forum reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the partnership of member states with UNICEF on investing in sustainability for improved Water and Sanitation Coverage (WASH) in the region.
The Forum then appreciated the Government and People of Bauchi State for hosting the meeting and resolved to hold the 11th Meeting of the Forum in Damaturu, Yobe State between 30th-31st August 2024.
It expressed delight at the growing strength of the subregional cooperation and appreciated the successes recorded through the leadership styles of the Governors in their respective States.
The North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), comprise of the Governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.
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