Energy Sufficiency: Buhari activates NNPC power plant, state projects in Borno

*President Muhammadu Buhari applauds Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State on infrastructure projects, directs the Ministry of Power and other relevant government agencies to continue  collaboration with NNPC Limited to more Nigerian consumers access affordable electricity, energy sufficiency

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project, describing the feat as another testament to achievement of a stable, uninterrupted power supply aimed at improving the economy and lives of Nigerian consumers.

Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to President on Media and Publicity, in a statement issued Thursday, March 2, 2023, noted Buhari said his administration had worked hard to fulfill the promise of tackling electricity challenges, and has succeeded in laying the foundation for a strong, prosperous country through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) in the West African country.

The newly-commissioned power project by NNPC 

ConsumerConnect reports the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) constructed the newly commissioned gas plant to supply 50 Megawatts (MW) of electricity to electricity consumers in Maiduguri and environs.

Shehu stated that a key execution priority of the government’s ERGP is ensuring national energy sufficiency for Nigerians.

The statement quoted the President as saying, “the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project is part of an incremental 4,000MW of power generating assets that this administration embarked upon to improve national power supply and stimulate economic growth.

“The aggressive project strategy deployed to complete this project on schedule is a total reflection of Federal Government sensitivities in identifying and easing the plight of the Nigerians; particularly those recovering from the adverse impact of the insurgency in this North-East region.”

Buhari also said: “Over the past few years, insurgents had attacked power supply lines along Maiduguri-Damaturu and Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu roads leading to acute power supply shortages to the city of Maiduguri and its environs and crippling the economic activities in the region.

“For this purposeful response, I want to commend the NNPC Limited for following my directive to ensure the immediate restoration of reliable power supply to Maiduguri within the shortest possible time.”

The President further assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s resolve to implement programmes, particularly in the power sector on order to enhance domestic gas utilisation, expand national power generation capacity, revitalise industries, and create multiple jobs for economic growth.

Buhari, therefore, directed the Federal Ministry of Power and other relevant agencies namely, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc, and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to continue to collaborate with NNPC Limited to ensure that millions of Nigerians access affordable electricity in the short term.

The Nigerian leader as well expressed confidence that the undaunting spirit of the New NNPC Limited would continue to engender affordable energy for all consumers, not just for the immediate, but for the years ahead.

Speaking on his working visit to Borno State, Buhari applauded Governor (Prof.) Babagana Zulum for keeping his campaign promises to the citizens of the North-East state in Nigeria.

According to him, the governor, who is seeking a second term in office, deserves to be re-elected.

The President stated: “Your Excellency, I cannot remember the number of projects I commissioned during your first tenure, these laudable projects are impressive. I thank you.

”We also acknowledge the excellent work that you have done, working closely with the Federal Government and other stakeholders, to bring back the IDPs and refugees from Cameroon and other neighboring countries.

“I think the Governor deserves another term.”

Besides the power plant, Buhari as well inaugurated the dualised Ahmadu Bello Way; Shehu Sanda Kura Road; Lafiya Road and Mogoram Road; Ultra-Modern Market, Bama Road; newly constructed Staff Quarters for the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu Cancer Centre, and the newly constructed Bolari Market Road in the state.

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