Northeast governors have said that resumption of oil exploration in the frontier wells of Kolmani and Lake Chad,will boost the region’s economy and improve its security.
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who said this on behalf of his colleagues during a visit to President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, urged the President to give the exploration the desired priority.
He added that resuming exploration activities would complement military operations and accelerate development in the sub-region.
He commended President Tinubu for sustaining the fight against insurgency and for his interventions in mitigating the effects of flood, desertification, and other environmental challenges.
He said:”We thank you for fostering peace and stability within the sub-region and continuing with the initiative of your predecessor in sustaining the fight against insurgency.”
He lamented that the region has suffered so much environmental and developmental setbacks arising from long period of neglect and abandonment.
He urged the president to complete the ongoing road projects and build critical roads connecting the six states of the zone.
The roads are;Kano-Maiduguri Road, Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Maiduguri Railway line, Bama-Mubi-Yola Road, Wukari-Jalingo-Yola Road, Duguri-Mansur Road (NNPC Project Ongoing), Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Damaturu Road, Damaturu-Geidam Road, Bauchi-Ningi-Nasaru-Babaldo Road and Gombe-Potiskum, Damaturu-Biu Roads.
Others include;Alkaleri-Futuk Road, Maiduguri-Damboa-Yola Road, Gombe-Dukku-Darazo Road, Biu-Gombe Road, Ibi-Shamdam Road, Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga Road and Maiduguri-Ngala-Bama-Banki Roads
He assured the president of their commitment to his administration’s initiative on training of manpower and providing technology with a view to reversing the insecurity facing the North East.
He said:“We are fully aligning with Mr. President’s good initiative of training of manpower and providing technology with a view to reversing the ugly trend in the forest, thereby reducing the insurgency and promoting agricultural development in alignment with the renewed hope agenda on food security.
“Mr President, the North East governors hold you in high esteem and all of us have resolved to partner with you in your determination to provide good governance for Nigeria with a view to leaving behind lasting legacies and landmarks for the country.”
The governors expressed their alignment with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security, while urging for special attention to unmanned forests, deserts, gorges, and rivers that have become hideouts for insurgents.
