North East govs urge FG to complete two power projects, others

North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has asked the Federal Government to complete the Kashimbila and Dadin Kowa hydroelectric power projects.

The projects are sited in Taraba and Gombe States in the Northeast region of the country.

According to the Forum, their completion will quicken socio-economic development in Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States.

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, who doubles as the Forum’s Chairman, also lamented challenges of steady power supply to the region.

In a communique, yesterday, the Forum “noted with dismay the plunging of Maiduguri and its environs into darkness since January, 2021”. It decried non-commissioning of the Dadin Kowa and Kashimbila projects and appealed to the Federal Government to increase investments in education, health and agricultural sectors to guarantee peace and economic development.

The Forum urged the Federal Government to make adequate budgetary provisions in 2022 to implement livelihood recovery projects. “The National Assembly should also critically consider the region for adequate budgetary provisions to implement all capital projects in six states,” it said.

While lamenting kidnappings and farmer/herder clashes, the Forum said: “We’ve also resolved to put in place measures to curtail the dangers to life and property.”

It called for the establishment of a sustainable programme for the over 19,000 repentant Boko Haram terrorists and their families.

The Forum resolved to hold its next meeting on March 9, 2022 in Gombe, Gombe State.