By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
The North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has lamented that the Federal Government has neglected the subregion in the allocation of capital projects.
The Forum stated that despite the cry for attention on the state of infrastructure which have been echoed several times in its communique for many years.
This was part of the communique issued at the end of the North-East Governors’ Forum Meeting which held on Friday at the Government House, Bauchi.
The communique which was signed by the NEGF Chairman and Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagan Zulum, and read by the Vice Chairman, Governor Umaru Fintiri, of Adamawa State.
The Forum lamented that the road from Enugu – Maiduguri is in deplorable condition while the railway line from Enugu – Maiduguri has been destroyed.
“Forum reiterates its concern over the seeming neglect of the Northeast in the allocation of Federal Government Capital Projects. It noted with dismay that despite its cry for attention on the State of infrastructure in the region which has been consistently echoed in all its communique over the years, especially the poor road and railway infrastructure along the economic corridors that links the Northeast subregion to the rest of the country, nothing serious seems to be happening.
“The Roads from Enugu to Maiduguri is in deplorable State and the railway from Enugu up to Maiduguri has been destroyed. This is a major route for regional trade and very important for integration, peace building and improving national unity.
“The region is also not included in the National Infrastructure Plan for the transition from PMS to Compressed Gas. The Forum is calling on the Federal Government to look into the situation and consider the reconstruction of these basic infrastructure along Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor and inclusion of NE in all National Development Plans and initiatives,” the communique stated.
The Forum charged the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) to be consultative in its dealings, operation and project prioritization and called on it (the NEDC) to work with the states in the region for energy development to unlock the energy potentials of the region and lessen the energy paucity burden of the people.
According to the Forum, the world is passing through a “horrific food security crisis,” especially with the war in Ukraine, climate, change and poor agricultural practice.
The communique read: “In the Northeast, Member states, resolved to continue to invest in Agriculture Value Chain and encourage the transformation of subsistence farming into SMEs.
“The member states of the forum will support the procurement of improved drought-resistant and short-maturation seedlings, subsidise fertilizers and ensure that the region specialises in the production of such seeds.
“Forum resolved to partner with OCP Africa to support Agriculture in the Northeast.”
The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the partnership of member states with UNICEF on investing in sustainability for improved Water and Sanitation Coverage (WASH) in the region.
According to the communique, the NEGF resolved to hold its 11th Meeting in Damaturu, Yobe State between 30th-31st August 2024.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that the governors in attendance are: Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Agbo Kefas (Taraba) and the host, Senator Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).
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