TheCable

The governors in the north-east say the poor road network in their geo-political zone is fuelling insecurity.

The north-east is currently having some level of respite from decade-long activities of members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Thousands have lost their lives and many more displaced owing to the conflict instigated by the aforementioned groups.

In a communique issued on Saturday after a meeting in Yola, capital city of Adamawa state, the north-east governors said they are disturbed about the poor infrastructure in the zone.

“More concerned that the federal roads within and between the states in the region have been neglected,” the communique signed by Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno and chair of the north-east governors forum, read.

“We call on the federal ministry of works to follow through with road contracts awarded in the region. The poor road network is fuelling insecurity stalling development and making life more difficult for our people in the region.

“Forum notes that the bad federal roads within and between the states are major setbacks to the infrastructural development of the region.

“Forum notes the poor energy situation in the region.

“To mitigate the situation, Forum resolved to work with Shanghai Electric to construct a 60 MW Coal Power Power Plant in each state of the region.

“Forum decried the lack of modern rail projects in the region and called for repairs on the old gauge rail lines which are no longer useful and sustainable technology.”

The governors called for inclusion of the zone into the Nigerian National Railway Transport plan using the modern gauge rail.