North-east Govs Lament Delay in Execution of Mambilla Hydro Power Project.

Wole Ayodele

The North-east governors have lamented the delays in the execution of the Mambilla Power Project in Taraba State

In a communique released at the end of their meeting held in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, yesterday, the governors noted with dismay the contractual encumberances that have continued to stall the take-off and actualisation of the project and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to accord the project the seriousness it deserves.

The governors, in the communique signed by their Chairman of the forum and governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum urged the President to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to address the encumberances and bring the project to reality.

The forum stated that it has noted the general improvement in the security situation in the region and called for continuous collaboration between the security agencies to maintain the gains recorded so far.

The governors however called on the diplomatic and donor agencies to activate the process of transmitting from humanitarian activities to stabilisation and durable solutions within the region, saying this will ensure sustainability and give the people the opportunity to help themselves out of poverty.

The governors decried the effects of drugs and narcotic substances in the region and the extent to which it has fueled insurgency and called for support in stopping drug trafficking as well as enforcing control in the region and across the borders.

The forum however expressed displeasure over the lack of collaboration between the North East Development Commission and the states in the region just as it described the execution of ongoing projects of the Commission as very slow.

The governors commended the Federal Character Commission but noted with dismay the shortfall in the number of applicants from the region in the recent recruitments into some federal agencies.