By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving N68 billion in operational support for the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP), describing the intervention as a major boost to the state’s recovery and development efforts.
The power project, initiated in 2021 as a federal intervention, was designed to address the prolonged blackout in Borno following the destruction of electricity infrastructure by insurgents, which left the state without power for nearly two years.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, Governor Zulum expressed profound appreciation to the President for the approval, noting that the funding will significantly enhance the plant’s sustainability and overall impact.
According to the governor, the approval covers a monthly operational expenditure support of N2 billion from March 2026 to December 2028, aimed at bridging the funding gap required to maintain the facility’s operations.
He emphasized that the Federal Government’s intervention, implemented through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), has been instrumental in restoring electricity supply to Maiduguri and surrounding communities.
Zulum noted that the return of stable power has revitalized economic activities, improved living standards, and contributed to ongoing efforts to address security challenges in the state.
He further highlighted that the plant, which was upgraded to a 50-megawatt capacity in December 2023, has driven socio-economic growth by creating jobs and supporting small and medium-scale enterprises.
The governor added that access to reliable electricity has strengthened community resilience by reducing economic vulnerabilities often linked to insecurity and criminal activities.
He explained that the newly approved funding will ensure uninterrupted power supply across the Maiduguri metropolis and its environs, thereby consolidating the gains already recorded.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment, Governor Zulum pledged continued collaboration with the Federal Government to advance sustainable energy development, while promoting peace, stability, and long-term prosperity in Borno State.
