The Humanitarian Times

By Abdulkareem Haruna

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving N68 billion in operational support for the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP).

The intervention is expected to bridge funding gaps and ensure a stable electricity supply for the state capital and its environs.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Dauda Iliya, on Thursday, Mr Zulum described the president’s intervention as a timely move that would mitigate security challenges and boost the economic livelihoods of the people.

The Intervention
According to the governor, the president approved a monthly Operational Expenditure (OPEX) intervention of N2 billion, spanning from March 2026 to December 2028.

“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I wish to most profoundly appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving N2 billion monthly OPEX intervention funding… totaling N68 billion to bridge the existing funding gap in the operations of the MEPP,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.

Mr Zulum noted that the MEPP project, executed through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), has been “pivotal” in restoring power to the state after insurgents repeatedly sabotaged the national grid.

Background
The MEPP was initiated in 2021 as a presidential intervention following a prolonged blackout in Maiduguri. Insurgents had vandalised transmission towers, leaving the city without electricity for nearly two years.
The plant was commissioned in 2021 and subsequently upgraded to a 50-megawatt capacity in December 2023.

Impact on Security and Economy
The governor highlighted that the restoration of stable electricity has acted as a catalyst for socio-economic development, creating jobs and supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
He further argued that the power supply has a direct impact on the state’s security architecture.

“The availability of stable electricity has enhanced security by empowering communities economically and reducing vulnerabilities linked to insurgency and criminality,” Mr Zulum said.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with the federal government to ensure sustainable energy development and lasting peace in the North-east region.