By Joseph Edegbo
A 50 megawatts gas power plant being funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, will soon be on stream to electrify parts of Borno State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has explained.
Speaking on Thursday at a town hall meeting on insurgent attacks on power and telecommunications equipment organized by the Federal ministry of Information and culture in Maiduguri, Zulum recalled that in August, the NNPC sealed a deal with contractors for the commencement of the plant in Maiduguri, which is expected to be completed in six months.
At the event held at multipurpose hall of the Government House, Governor Zulum expressed deep appreciation to President Buhari, noting that in addition to the 50MW power plant, the President has directed the federal ministry of power to look into the possibility of establishing 150 mega watts power plant in Borno.
“Let me at this juncture, convey my gratitude to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari for his approval of an alternative power supply to Borno State.”
“Few days ago contract for the establishment of thermal electricity plant in Maiduguri was signed by GMD NNPC, Mele Kyari and the contractors. The contractors are expected to resume very soon.
“The President has also directed the federal ministry of power to look into the possibility of establishing 150 mega watts of solar power plant in Borno State.” Zulum said.
Zulum described the 9 month blackout as harrowing situation, particularly, to those who depend on power supply for their daily livelihood needs.
The Governor added that substantial resources have been committed to the efforts of power restoration to Maiduguri and surrounding communities both by the federal and state governments, which was destroyed days after a successful repair work.
Zulum also called on the federal government to deploy technology to protect critical infrastructures across the country, in addition to a massive sensitisation campaign for citizens to take ownership and responsibilities of protecting facilities around them.
Delivering the opening remarks, the host and minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said, the meeting seeks to achieve four main objectives which include, creation of public awareness for people to take ownership of public properties, sensitisation of targeted communities, particularly where public properties are located to protect the infrastructures, expose, arrest and prosecute sellers and buyers of stolen public properties and sensitisation of the larger proportion of citizens to support the widespread campaign for the protection and ownership of public structures and properties.
The Senate President, represented by Senator Danladi Sankara, deputy Governor of Borno, Umar Usman Kadafur, former Governor of Borno, Ashkeikh Jarma, minister of state for agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, Shehu of Borno, former minister of FCT, Arch. Ibrahim Bunu among other top government officials attended the meeting.
Also present were, traditional rulers led by the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, Secretary to the State Government, Usman Jidda Shuwa, members of the state executive council and the state security chiefs led by the theatre commander, Major General Christopher Musa.
