Blackouts: Northeast Govs to set up solar power plants

Newspointer May 18, 2024

By Sani Mu’azu

Governors of the North-East have decried the blackout experienced by the region in the last one month.

The forum berated the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) over what it described as a ‘ nonchalant attitude’ in addressing the issue.

The Governors, under the auspices of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) expressed dismay in a communique at the end of their 10th meeting in Bauchi, the State capital on Saturday.

They were hosted by Governor Bala Mohammed at the Government House.

According to the communique signed by the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum, the Governors have resolved in the short term, to set up a solar power plant that can generate a minimum 10 Megawatts per State to address the poor power supply.

They also urged the Federal Government to direct TCN to redouble its effort at restoring the energy supply to the region.

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 watching keenly the commitment made by TCN to restore power to all the state of the region by the 27th May, 2024; accordingly, the Forum urged 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 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 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 links the Northeast subregion to the rest of the country, nothing serious seems to be happening.

“The roads from Enugu to Maiduguri is in deplorable State 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. “

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *