Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise energy accessibility for vulnerable populations, emphasising that electricity should not be treated solely as a profit-driven commodity.
He spoke at the 6th National Council on Power (NACOP) summit held on Thursday in Maiduguri.
He said:”We must view energy not just as a commodity but as a social service. While I do not advocate for total subsidy, I urge the Federal Government to support low-income communities with targeted subsidies that protect the most vulnerable.”
“To the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, thank you for your leadership and open-door policy. We appreciate your responsiveness and dedication to the North-East.”
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the numerous interventions in the power sector in the state.
“I express my sincere appreciation to the President, the Honourable Minister of Power, and federal institutions like the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), NNPC, and others for their sustained interventions,” Zulum said.
He added that some of these include completion of a 7.5MVA substation at the University of Maiduguri, rehabilitation of 132/33kV substations, a new substation at the College of Agriculture, Damboa and a newly completed 1×32.5MVA transmission station in Bama.
Speaking, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, enumerated the successes recorded from recent reforms and initiatives, emphasising some of the major achievements by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The minister also commended Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, stating, “let me begin by expressing our profound gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, and the good people of Borno for hosting this important gathering. The warmth and generosity with which you have welcomed delegates from across the country is deeply appreciated and highly cherished.”
