North-East Governors To Establish Solar Power Plants As Alternative Amid Blackout Concerns

The North-East Governors Forum has expressed dismay over the blackout experienced by the region, lasting for the past month.

They criticized the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for what they described as a nonchalant attitude in addressing the issue.

This dissatisfaction was disclosed in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of their 10th meeting held in Bauchi on Saturday.

Hosted by Governor Bala Mohammed at the Government House, the governors convened to discuss pertinent issues affecting the region. The communiqué, signed by the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, outlined the resolutions reached during the meeting.

In the short term, the governors resolved to set up a solar power plant in each state capable of generating a minimum of 10 megawatts.

This initiative aims to mitigate the effects of the blackout and provide alternative power sources to the region.

 Additionally, they urged the federal government to direct TCN to intensify its efforts in restoring power supply to the North-East.

The communique reads “Forum notes with dismay, the blackout experienced by the region over the last one month and the nonchalant attitude exhibited by the TCN in addressing this issue of National importance for the security and development of the country.

“Forum is keenly watching the commitment made by TCN to restore power to all the states of the region by the 27th May 2024; accordingly, the Forum urges the Federal Government to direct TCN to take immediate action. The Forum has resolved in the short term, to set up a solar power plant that can generate a minimum of 10 Megawatts per State.”

The Forum also reiterated its concern over the seeming neglect of the Northeast in the allocation of Federal Government Capital Projects.

It stated that despite its cry for attention on the state of infrastructure in the region, which has been consistently echoed in all its communique over the years, especially the poor road and railway infrastructure along the economic corridors that link the Northeast sub region to the rest of the country, nothing serious seems to be happening.

“ The roads from Enugu to Maiduguri are in deplorable states and the railway from Enugu up to Maiduguri has been destroyed. This is a major route for regional trade and very important for integration, peace-building and improving national unity. “

Additionally, the Forum stated that the North-East region is excluded from the National Infrastructure Plan for transitioning from PMS to Compressed Gas.

They urged the federal government to address this issue by reconstructing essential infrastructures along the Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor.

Furthermore, they emphasized the importance of including the North-East in all National Development Plans and initiatives.

Among the governors present at the meeting were Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.

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