*Commends Zulum efforts, leadership
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, commissioned the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project, describing the feat as another testament towards achieving stable, uninterrupted power supply aimed at improving the economy and lives of Nigerians.
The gas plant was constructed by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to supply 50 megawatts of electricity to Maiduguri and environs.
Speaking at the occasion, the President said his administration has worked hard to fulfill the promise of tackling the nation’s electricity challenges and has succeeded in laying the foundation for a strong, prosperous country through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
He noted that a key execution priority of the ERGP is ensuring national energy sufficiency for Nigerians.
”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.
”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 Ltd for following my directive to ensure the immediate restoration of reliable power supply to Maiduguri within the shortest possible time,” he said.
President Buhari reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s resolve to implement programmes, particularly in the power sector, that deepen domestic gas utilization, expand national power generation capacity, revitalize industries and create multiple jobs for economic growth.
He directed the Ministry of Power and other relevant agencies namely, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, Transmission Company of Nigeria to continue to collaborate with NNPC Ltd to ensure that millions of Nigerians access affordable electricity in the short term.
He expressed confidence that the undaunting spirit of the New NNPC Ltd would continue to engender affordable energy for all Nigerians, not just for the immediate, but for the years ahead.
President Buhari, who is making his fifth visit to the state since the administration of Prof Babagana Zulum, thanked the governor for keeping his campaign promises to the people of the state.
He declared that the governor, who is seeking a second term in office, deserves to be re-elected.
”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,” he said.
While in Maiduguri, the President inaugurated the dualized Ahmadu Bello Way; Shehu Sanda Kura Road; Lafiya Road and Mogoram Road; Ultra-Modern Market, Bama Road; newly constructed Staff Quarters for University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu Cancer Centre, and the newly constructed Bolari Market Road.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned a Cancer Centre at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
Buhari while inspecting the facilities at the centre yesterday, commended the hospital management.
Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo said the facilities include HD Versa, electa machine among others.
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“This hospital is one of the best in West Africa because of the latest facilities there,” Ahidjo disclosed.
He said the hospital is also conducting research on increasing kidney cases in the Borno State and parts of the northeast, through a N50 million grant provided by the state government.
He said the centre has a unit for treating kidney stone with infusion without opening it. “It has two theatre; operation theatre and urology,” he explained.
President Buhari also commissioned 24-flats Doctors Quarters in the hospital built by Borno State government.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep grief at the fire disaster, Sunday, February 26, which razed Maiduguri’s Monday Market.
He expressed the grief in Maiduguri, on Thursday, March 2, while paying homage to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Al-Kanemi.
“I am here to commiserate with you over the fire incident at the market,” the President told the Shehu.
“I am mainly here to go and see the market, but the governor has hijacked me to commission his projects,” he stressed.
Earlier, the Shehu expressed gratitude to President Buhari for standing with the people of Borno in their trying times.
