By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe
The North-East Governors Forum has noted the significant improvement in the security situation in the sub-region as evidenced by the mass surrender of Boko Haram fighters and commended the Federal Government for its various initiatives towards stabilising the sub region.
The Forum at the end of its meeting held in Damaturu, Yobe state, issued a Communique in which it urged for the establishment of a sustainable programme for the handling of the repentant terrorists.
It also noted that kidnapping and farmer-herder clashes amongst others are worrisome in the sub-region and resolved to undertake the necessary measures to curtail the menace.
The Forum also stated that it deliberated extensively on the Mambilla Hydroelectric project and called on the National Assembly and the Federal Government to make adequate budgetary provision in the 2022 appropriation bill for the implementation of the project.
The Forum however raised raised concerns over the non- commissioning of the Dadin Kowa and Kashimbila hydro-power plants which is stalling development of the sub-region appealing to the Federal Government to increase its investments in the sub-region to guarantee peace and economic prosperity.
The Forum, while recognizing that the 2022 budget is in its final stages, called on the National Assembly to look critically at the subregion with a view to ensuring that adequate budgetary provisions are made for all major capital projects in the Sub region.
According to the communique signed by Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno state who is the Chairman of the Forum, the Forum deliberated on a presentation by the Minister of Power on planned and on-going Power Projects in the North East which highlighted the challenges of steady power supply to the sub-region and noted with dismay the near one year lack of electricity in Maiduguri and its environs urging the Federal Government to urgently find a lasting solution.
In attendance at the meeting were the Governors of Borno, Gombe and Yobe, while the Governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, and Taraba States were represented by their Deputies.
The Forum resolved to have its next meeting from 9th to 11th March 2022 at Gombe, Gombe State.
