Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of a ₦68 billion operational support package for the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP). The funding, slated for release in monthly tranches of ₦2 billion from March 2026 to December 2028, is intended to restore reliable electricity to Borno State and curb insecurity linked to power disruptions.
In a statement on Tuesday, the senator representing Borno South praised the federal government for addressing the prolonged outages that have plagued residents and impeded economic activity, especially in the informal sector. Ndume argued that stable power will bolster small‑ and medium‑scale enterprises, revive livelihoods, and diminish the recruitment pipeline that terrorist groups have exploited in the absence of reliable electricity.
“The fund released to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant is a lifeline that will engender economic activities, particularly for SMEs,” Ndume said, echoing Governor Professor Babagana Zulum’s gratitude. He added that reliable electricity complements the military’s counter‑insurgency efforts, noting that insurgents thrive in darkness and that illumination can hamper their operations.
The MEPP, a presidential initiative launched in 2021, was created to mitigate the effects of insurgent sabotage that left the state without power for nearly two years. By bridging the current operational funding gap, the ₦68 billion allocation aims to ensure continuous plant performance and reduce the vulnerability of power infrastructure to both militant attacks and vandalism.
Ndume called on federal and state agencies, the armed forces, and local communities to safeguard the plant against sabotage. “We owe it to our people to protect these facilities, as the benefits of stable electricity are numerous,” he said. He urged vigilance in checking the activities of vandals and emphasized that restored power will enhance economic output and support ongoing security operations.
The phased disbursement aligns with the operational expenditure (OPEX) model adopted for the plant’s maintenance and fuel supply. If implemented as planned, the funding should sustain MEPP’s operations through December 2028, providing a stable power source for Borno’s residents and businesses while contributing to broader efforts to stabilize the region.
The intervention reflects a broader federal response to infrastructure challenges in Nigeria’s northeast, where electricity shortages have been a persistent obstacle to development and a catalyst for insecurity. As the MEPP comes online, observers will monitor its impact on local economies and the effectiveness of security measures designed to protect critical energy assets.
