President Muhammadu Buhari, GCEO NNPC Mele Kyari, Governor Babagana Zulum at the inauguration of Maiduguri Emergency Gas Plant.Photo Credit:Iliya Dauda/Radio Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the federal government’s resolve to implement programmes that will deepen domestic gas utilization and boost national power generation capacity.
The President made this known at the 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.
The attacks had crippled economic activities and caused many businesses to crumble.
To address the perennial power outages in the state, President Buhari directed the Nigeria National Petroleum Company limited (NNPC) to construct a gas plant capable of providing reliable and sustainable electricity to the state.
President Buhari said his administration was committed to tackling power sector problems and guaranteeing uninterrupted power supply to the country.
He commended Governor Babagana Zulum for executing people-oriented projects that directly impact the lives of the citizenry.
Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari said the 32-megawatt gas plant was designed and built in 16 months.
He promised that the plant would soon be scaled up to 50 megawatts, describing Borno as the new power hub of the entire north-east region.
Governor Babagana Zulum commended the President for his commitment to addressing the plight of people of the region who he said have been devastated by insurgency.
Reporting by Iliya Dauda;Editing by Fany Olumoye and Julian Osamoto,Tony Okerafor