Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving N68 billion in operational funding for the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP), describing the move as timely and impactful.
The approval provides N2 billion monthly operational expenditure support from March 2026 to December 2028, aimed at sustaining the operations of the 50MW emergency power facility in Maiduguri.
The power plant was initiated in 2021 as a federal intervention following the destruction of electricity infrastructure by insurgents, which plunged Borno State into a prolonged blackout lasting nearly two years. Its commissioning in December 2023 marked a turning point in restoring power supply to the state.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, Governor Zulum expressed profound appreciation for the intervention, noting that it would help bridge existing funding gaps and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to the Maiduguri metropolis and surrounding areas.
He emphasized that the project, supported by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, has already played a crucial role in reviving economic activities, boosting small and medium enterprises, and improving the overall livelihoods of residents.
According to the governor, the restoration of stable electricity has also contributed to strengthening security efforts in the state by reducing economic vulnerabilities that often fuel insurgency and criminal activities.
Zulum further noted that the continued federal support would enhance resilience in Borno State, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Government to achieve sustainable development in the energy sector and lasting peace in the region.
