In a bid to address the inadequate power supply from current sources, each of the six states in the North East region is slated to receive either a coal or solar power plant.
The governors of these states revealed this plan following their 9th regional meeting held in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.
During the meeting convened under the aegis of the North East Governors Forum (NEGF), the governors collectively expressed their dissatisfaction with the current state of electricity supply in the region. As a result, they have resolved to establish independent power plants, with each state opting for a 60MW coal or 50MW solar power plant.
After a closed-door session, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, announced that NEGF intends to collaborate with Shanghai Electric in the construction of these power plants in each state.
The communiqué, endorsed by the NEGF Chairman and Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, also highlighted the dire state of federal roads in the North East region. The forum expressed concern that the neglect of federal roads within and between the states has significantly hampered development, exacerbated insecurity, and worsened the living conditions of the region’s inhabitants.
The forum urged the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure the prompt implementation of road contracts in the region, and called on the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to facilitate the intervention and resolution of the road-related challenges.
Furthermore, the communiqué underscored the absence of a functional rail line in the entire North East region. It deemed the repair of the old gauge rail lines as unsustainable and called for the region’s inclusion in the Nigerian National Railway Transport Plan, utilising modern gauge rail technology.
In addition to these deliberations, the governors revealed plans to host a regional trade fair in Bauchi in early 2024 and resolved to convene their 10th meeting in the same city between February 23 and March 26 of the same year.
The readiness of the Bauchi State Government to host the North East Regional Trade Fair was commended, and all subnational entities within the region were invited to participate actively. The forum also extended an invitation to the nation, African nations, and the international community to partake in and explore the rich cultural, tourism, and economic offerings of the region during the fair.
