.
By Ahmed Idris
The 19 Northern states are set to establish 4,000MW renewable energy plant to ease energy challenge and boost businesses in the region.
Borno state governor and outgoing chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Kashim Shettima, made the announcement at a meeting in Kaduna on Friday.
He lauded his colleagues for their support in the last four years.
“The Forum, in a bid to attain some degree of financial independence, resolved to create a joint financial institution, which could serve as a vehicle for the region’s economic recovery and overall sectoral development.
“In pursuance of this objective, each state is to contribute N50 million monthly, for a period of six months. So far, we have N650 million out of the expected N5.7 billion. I am calling on states that are yet to fulfil their pledge, to do so, to enable us embark on the implementation of the various programmes and projects articulated under the scheme.
This includes the establishment of a renewable energy plant, capable of generating 3,000 – 4,000MW of electricity.
On the issue of insecurity, he appealed to the federal government to change strategies in order to find lasting solutions to the problem.
“We appeal to the Federal Government to restrategize and come up with measures that could deal with the security situation permanently.
“In the face of the increasing security challenges, such as kidnapping, cattle rustling, incessant communal clashes, inciting religious preaching and suicide bombings among others, most of which were not properly codified in the criminal justice system of Northern Nigeria, we found it judicially imperative to incorporate such criminal offences into the penal code with a view to ensuring that perpetrators of such criminal offences are brought to justice.
“Accordingly, the forum advised all state houses of assembly in the 19 Northern states to make amendments and modifications to the existing criminal justice system.
“Sequel to persistent reports of drug abuse especially among the youths and women in the Northern states, the Forum set up committees of relevant stakeholders in each state of the region, towards eliminating the scourge of drug abuse. The Forum made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to frontally deal with the issue of drug abuse and possibly declare a state of emergency in the fight against the scourge. The Federal Government heeded our call, which culminated in the setting up of the Marwa Committee against drug abuse.
“The Forum has been able to make pragmatic initiatives towards the resuscitation of the New Nigeria Development Company in order to restore its position as the business and economic live wire of the region. About N6 billion was approved by the Forum for the implementation of a five-year strategic development plan, which if properly executed would undoubtedly propel the region into economic prosperity.
“A new commodity marketing company was established, as a subsidiary of the NNDC, to develop and promote agricultural activities in the region. In order to further consolidate the economic base of the region, the NNDC had signed a memorandum of understanding with Savanna Petroleum Limited for the development of four oil blocks.
“Additionally, NNDC has commenced negotiations with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to venture into oil and gas exploration in the Northern region. Plans are also underway to resuscitate the Kaduna Textiles Company into full production of textile materials, which hopefully, would among other things, meet the uniform needs of our Armed Forces and other paramilitary agencies.
“The Forum has also been able to resolve the misunderstanding between pensioners and the management of the New Nigeria Newspapers, to the extent that the process has began for the payment of the entitlements of pensions. This is part of the Forum’s strategic plan to reinvigorate the New Nigeria Newspapers towards making it economically viable and professionally competitive in line with international best practice,” Governor Shettima said.
