Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, has urged Managing Director of
Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Chiedu Ugbo to hookup
border communities with 132KV line of electricity in Borno.
The Cameroon border communities of Dikwa, Gwoza and Bama; were
severally attacked by Boko Haram, destroying power lines and telecom
masts during decade long insurgency.
While lamenting communities’ plunge into darkness Wednesday in Abuja,
he disclosed that; “Connecting 132 KV line of electricity to Marte in
northern Borno, will power machines for irrigation activities by Chad
Basin Development Authority (CBDA).”
He added that the border communities of Gwoza, Dikwa, Kirawa. Ngoshe
and Pulka were also plunged into darkness for over a decade.
On CBDA’s irrigation reactivation scheme, he said: “Powering Marte
communities will reactivate irrigation scheme in Chad Basin,” adding
that more job opportunities could be created among returning farmers.
According to him, Chad Basin’s scheme; has the potentials of producing
30 per cent of nation’s food requirements.
He also urged Ugbo to also consider the possibility of reaching
Gambouru through Dikwa given the short distance between the two
councils.
He said the resumption of irrigation activities will create thousands
of direct and indirect job creation in communities and for families of
returnee victims.
“The NDPHC should make efforts to extend the already established power
infrastructure in Bama to neighboring border communities of Gwoza,” he
said.
He noted that it will help in continued multi-stakeholder efforts to
restore livelihoods and social services in insurgency affected
communities.
The Governor paid glowing tribute to the Chief Executive Officer,
Management and Staff of the NDPHC for establishing power
infrastructure in Bama and other parts of Borno state.
“You’ve exhibited compassion for the people of Borno who actually
deserve all the support in the country,” he said, noting that this
could restore livelihoods of returnee IDPs.
