North-east governors have called on the Federal Government to fix the deplorable federal roads in the region.In a communiqué issued, yesterday, in Yola, Plateau State, after the ninth meeting of the governors, they blamed terrorism for the poor nature of federal roads in the zone.
   
Part of the communiqué reads: “The forum is continuously disturbed about the poor infrastructural base of the region. More concerned that the federal roads within and between the states in the region have been neglected.”
  
It, thus, called on the Federal Ministry of Works to follow through with road contracts awarded in the region.
  
“Poor road network is fuelling insecurity and stalling development and making life more difficult for our people in region.
  
“The forum notes that the bad federal roads within and between the states are major setbacks to the infrastructural development of the region. The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) should work with states Ministries of Works to remove the encumbrances and find more practical ways to intervene on these roads,” it added.  

MEANWHILE, the forum lamented the poor energy situation in the region and resolved to work with Shanghai Electric to construct 60 megawatts Coal Power Plant in each state of the region.
  
It also called for inclusion of the region into the Nigerian National Railway Transport Plan using the modern gauge.  The governors noted that climate change and environmental degradation were still major issues affecting the region and resolved to strengthen its collaboration with all initiatives such as the Great Green Wall and the Global Initiative of Carbon Credit financing.

“The forum notes, with appreciation, the readiness of Bauchi State government to host the North-East Regional Trade Fair between February 26 and March 3, 2024 and called on all the sub-national entities within the region to actively participate in the fair, while inviting Africa and the world to come and experience the rich culture, tourism potential, hospitality and economic opportunities that abound in the region,” the governors added.