Electricity in Borno will reduce insecurity – Ndume on Tinubu’s N68bn for Maiduguri power plant
Senator Ali Ndume Welcomes N68 Billion Funding for Maiduguri Power Plant
Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of N68 billion in operational support for the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP), asserting that this initiative is pivotal in addressing insecurity in the region.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ndume, who represents Borno South, lauded the federal government for addressing the longstanding concerns of residents plagued by frequent power outages. He emphasized that restoring electricity is vital for enhancing the economic landscape, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
“This funding is a lifeline that will significantly boost economic activities,” Ndume said. He pointed out that by improving access to stable electricity, the government effectively disrupts the recruitment of able-bodied individuals by insurgents.
The senator further noted that reliable power would support military efforts to combat insurgents, who tend to operate more effectively in darkness. “As the saying goes, an idle mind is a devil’s workshop. A thriving informal sector could reduce the supply chain for recruitment by terrorists,” he added.
Ndume, alongside Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the funding aimed at ensuring stable electricity in the state. He urged cooperation among federal and state agencies, military personnel, and citizens to protect power infrastructure from destruction by insurgents and vandals.
“It is to the eternal credit of the federal government that it has responded speedily to our concerns about power shortages,” he stated. “I urge our people to remain vigilant and support security agencies in addressing vandalism.”
According to the report, the Emergency Power Plant was established in 2021 as part of a presidential intervention to counter persistent power outages caused by insurgents damaging infrastructure. The N68 billion funding will be disbursed in monthly installments of N2 billion from March 2026 to December 2028, aimed at closing the operational funding gap for the MEPP.
