The North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has reiterated its long-standing concern over the seeming neglect of the Mambila Hydropower Plant, calling on the Federal Government to take advantage of the recent clearance of the legal encumbrance following the arbitration ruling on the matter to expedite action on the completion and take-off of the plant.
The concern was contained in a communiqué presented at the end of the meeting held on Friday and Saturday in Maiduguri, Borno State, presided over by the Chairman and Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.
It, however, acknowledged the concerted efforts made by member states in providing power and energising the subregion, having moved the energy agenda from isolated state concerns to a regional energy agenda.
The Forum noted that the Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant now feeds the national grid, encouraging all member states to take advantage of the new electricity law and abundant sunshine to strengthen electricity supply in the subregion and expand solar and mini-grid solutions for development.
The Forum also acknowledged the intervention role of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) in the subregion, calling for more investment in the education sector, especially the release of the long-awaited scholarship awards to indigent students in the subregion, and the deployment of more resources into campaigns to reduce the burden of out-of-school children and provide coordinated support for Tsangaya education.
In order to ease the cost of transportation, strengthen logistics and open the region to more economic activities, the Forum agreed to partner with Green Ville Energy to build and provide more CNG and LNG stations within the region.
It equally acknowledged and appreciated the support of the Federal Government through the NEDC in providing 10,000 electric tricycles, 10 electric buses and 300 electric taxis, with a view to lessening the burden of transportation. The vehicles are expected to be launched in October.
The Forum further resolved to establish the North-East Regional Air Shuttle, which would make inter- and intra-regional movement of people and goods faster and easier.
It acknowledged the appreciable success recorded in the onslaught against insurgency in the North-East; the courage and sacrifice of the Armed Forces and other security agencies; the resilience of the people; and the commitment of governments at all levels, but regretted that the subregion is still confronted by daunting humanitarian and infrastructural challenges.
The Forum thus reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies while strengthening inter-state cooperation, intelligence sharing, community engagement and coordinated responses to emerging threats, while at the same time addressing the underlying socio-economic conditions that can expose young people to exploitation by criminal and extremist elements.
It acknowledged that the North-East has one of the youngest populations in the country, and that this represents both an enormous opportunity and a responsibility.
The Forum therefore recommitted to equipping young people with quality education, vocational and entrepreneurial skills, technology and meaningful employment opportunities for a secure and prosperous region where the youth see a future for themselves and have legitimate opportunities to build dignified livelihoods.
The Forum decried the extent of harm done to the environment through deforestation and agreed to partner with the Institute of Forest Research to train forest experts in the region.
It, however, appreciated Mr President for the renewed attention on the Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri rail corridor, frontier oil exploration at Kolmani, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri highway.
The Forum, however, called on the Federal Government to revisit the exploration activities earlier commenced but subsequently stalled in Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Present at the meeting were Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Governor of Borno State; Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Governor of Adamawa State; Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Governor of Gombe State; Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, representing the Governor of Bauchi State; and Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana, Deputy Governor of Yobe State, representing the Governor of Yobe State. Also in attendance was the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur.
The Forum continued to appreciate the level of cooperation and collaboration among member states in the subregion since its inaugural meeting in Gombe in March 2020.
It thus appreciated its journey so far and acknowledged that the Forum’s role remains a work in progress. It also recommitted to speaking with one voice and acting with one purpose on matters of common subregional concern as they relate to the security, social and economic integration and development of the subregion.
The Forum noted the tremendous achievements it had made in the last six years, noting that the most significant achievement was the unity of Forum members, resulting in the Forum’s collective voice delivering tangible results in the infrastructural development of the subregion.
The next meeting is scheduled to hold on 18-19 December 2026 in Gombe, Gombe State.