By
Dauda Iliya
President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the federal government resolve to implement programmes that will deepen domestic gas utilisation and extend national power generation capacity.
The President made this known at inauguration of the first phase fifty megawatts Emergency Power Plant MEPP project in Maiduguri.
Maiduguri and other parts of Borno state were completely plunged into darkness in 2021 following vandalism and destruction of towers of power lines along Maiduguri-Damaturu and Maiduguri-Damboa roads.
These unfortunate attacks have crippled economic activities and rendered many people out of business.
To address perennial power outage in the state, President Buhari directed the Nigeria National Petroleum Company limited NNPC to construct a gas plant that will provide reliable and sustainable electricity to the state.
President Muhammadu Buhari said his administration is committed to tackling power sector problems and guaranteeing uninterrupted power supply to the country.
According to him, stable electricity supply will revitalize industries and create multiple job opportunities for economic growth.
” I will like to direct the ministry of Power and other relevant agencies namely; the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, Transmission Company of Nigeria to continue to collaborate with NNPC limited to ensure that millions of Nigerians access affordable electricity in short term ” Buhari directed.
The President commended Governor Babagana Zulum for executing people oriented projects that has direct impact of lives of the citizenry.
Group Chief Executive Officer NNPC Malam Mele Kyari said the 32-megawatts gas plant was designed and built in sixteen months.
He pointed out that the plant would soon be scaled up to 50 megawatts, describing Borno as the new power hub of the entire northeast region.
Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum commended the President for his commitment to addressing the plight of people of the region who have been devastated by insurgency.
Governor Zulum appealed to Federal government to rebuild the Maiduguri Monday Market recently ravaged by fire as property worth 500 billion naira have been destroyed by the inferno.
Correspondent Dauda Iliya reports that the gas plant is first of its kind in whole of northern Nigeria.
