In a display of frustration, the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has expressed deep concern over the absence of the Federal Government in their region.
During the Forum’s 10th meeting held in Bauchi State, the governors issued a communique, signed by NEGF Chairman Prof Babagana Zulum, highlighting the region’s neglect and urging the Federal Government to prioritize its development.
The communique emphasized the Forum’s distress regarding the apparent disregard for the North-East in the allocation of Federal Government capital projects.
Despite consistent pleas for attention to the region’s infrastructure, echoed in numerous communiques over the years, little progress has been made.
The poor state of road and railway infrastructure along the economic corridors connecting the North-East to the rest of the country remains a pressing issue that demands urgent action.
One of the major concerns raised by the Forum is the deplorable condition of the roads from Enugu to Maiduguri, a vital route for regional trade and integration. Additionally, the railway line from Enugu to Maiduguri has been left in ruins, further hindering connectivity and impeding peace-building and national unity efforts.
The Forum stressed the importance of these transportation networks for the region’s development and called on the Federal Government to address these critical infrastructure needs.
Furthermore, the NEGF expressed disappointment at the exclusion of the North-East from the National Infrastructure Plan for the transition from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). This omission further exacerbates the region’s sense of neglect and hampers its potential for growth and progress.
The Forum passionately appealed to the Federal Government to rectify this situation by prioritizing the reconstruction of basic infrastructure along the Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor.
Additionally, they called for the inclusion of the North-East in all National Development Plans and initiatives, ensuring that the region receives the attention and resources it deserves.
In addition to infrastructure concerns, the NEGF also expressed dismay at the persistent blackout across the region.
They criticized the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for its poor handling of repairs, demanding a full restoration of power by the agreed-upon date of May 27th
