TheCable

The North-east Governors’ Forum has asked the federal government to invest more in power projects in the region to accelerate its economic development.

In a communique released at the end of the forum’s sixth meeting held in Damaturu, Yobe, and by Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, the governors decried the challenges of power supply in the region, especially in Maiduguri and its environs, which experienced nearly one year of total blackout.

They also expressed concerns over the non-inauguration of the Dadin Kowa and Kashimbila hydro-power plants.

They said the non-completion of the projects had stalled development in the region.

“The forum deliberated extensively on the Mambilla Hydroelectric project,” the communique read.

“It called on the National Assembly and the Federal Government to make adequate budgetary provision in the 2022 appropriation bill for the implementation of the project.

“The Forum, while recognising that the 2022 budget is in its final stages, calls on the National Assembly to look critically with a view to ensuring that adequate budgetary provisions are made for all major capital projects in the sub region.

“Investments in the projects will guarantee peace and economic prosperity in the sub-region.”

The governors said there was significant improvement in security in the zone as evidenced by the mass surrender of Boko Haram fighters.

They commended the federal government for its various initiatives towards stabilising the region.

They asked the federal government to establish a sustainable programme for handling repentant terrorists.

They also said the cases of kidnapping and farmer-herder clashes were worrisome in the zone, and resolved to undertake the necessary measures to curtail the menace.

The meeting was attended by Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, while the deputy governors of Bauchi, Adamawa and Taraba represented their governors.