Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has inaugurated two boards for rural electrification, guidance and counselling in 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of state. The boards include the Borno State Rural Electrification Board (BREB) and State’s Guidance and Counselling Board (BGCB) headed by Abdulsalam Kachalla and Abba Lawan Asghashiya respectively. While inaugurating board members on Tuesday at the Government House, Maiduguri, Zulum disclosed that the REB was established in 1978 with Edict No. 5 to generate, distribute and supply electricity to parts of state; where the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) does not provide power.
According to him, the board will also undertake any other rural electrification projects assigned by the state government. He noted that the supply of electricity to rural areas for development cannot be over-emphasized. “It is an essential pre-requisite for the establishment of industries and other economic ventures in rural communities,” he said; adding that rural electricity will not only check rural-urban migration, but create job opportunities increase means of livelihoods of people. He said this will also fast track the return of 1.5 million displaced persons in various camps before or by May this year. He reiterated that government has good intension of ensuring the electrification of all the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) by 2023.
“We shall not allow an inch of our landmass to be taken over by the Boko Haram insurgents,” he declared. He said that contracts have been awarded for the production of electric iron poles to electrify Dikwa, Gwoza, Gajiram in Nganzai council, Kukawa, Monguno and Ngala, a border community with Cameroon. On functions of boar, he said: “The REB is to manage electricity undertakings to rural areas of the state. “It is to oversee all rural electrification installations within the state. The board is also to ensure the supply of electricity in rural areas at affordable prices.
“While it advises government on matters relating to generation, transmission, distribution, electricity use and any other functions assigned to be assigned.”
