North-East governors push FG to speed up Mambila hydropower project

The North-East Governors’ Forum is asking the federal government to speed up the long-delayed Mambila hydropower project in Taraba State.

The governors made this call in an 11-point statement released on Saturday after their 13th meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State.

They noted that a recent arbitration decision has removed legal barriers to the project. This should give the federal government a chance to finish it.

The governors believe this project is key to boosting electricity supply and supporting economic growth in the region.

The statement was signed by the forum’s chairman, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and read by its vice chairman, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

The governors expressed worry over what they called the neglect of the Mambila hydropower project. They urged the federal government to hurry up its completion and start the project.

They also mentioned the Dadinkowa hydropower plant in Gombe State. This plant now supplies electricity to the national grid and shows what regional cooperation can do to meet the North-East’s power needs.

The governors said electricity supply has changed from being a matter for individual states to a shared goal for the region.

The forum encouraged member states to take advantage of Nigeria’s electricity law and the region’s solar potential to grow renewable energy projects, including solar power and mini-grids.

The governors also agreed to work with Green Ville Energy to set up more compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas stations across the region. This aims to lower transportation costs.

They praised the federal government, through the North East Development Commission, for providing 10,000 electric tricycles, 10 electric buses, and 300 electric taxis for the region.

The forum said these vehicles are expected to be launched later this month.

The governors also decided to create a regional air shuttle to help move people and goods within the North-East and to other parts of the country.

They thanked President Bola Tinubu for focusing on the Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri rail line and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri road.

The forum also asked the federal government to revisit oil exploration efforts that began but later stopped in Magumeri and Gubio local government areas of Borno State.