By Rauf Oyewole, Bauchi

The North East Governors Forum (NEGF) has decried neglect of the region by the Federal Government in the national infrastructure plan despite its consistent appeal to develop the region for economic viability.

The Governors expressed concern over “the seeming neglect of the Northeast in the allocation of Federal Government Capital Projects.” The governors made this known in a communique issued on Saturday morning after the Forum’s 10th meeting.

According to the communique signed by its Chairman and governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, “The Forum noted with dismay that despite its cry for attention on the State of infrastructure in the region which has been consistently echoed in all its communique over the years, especially the poor road and railway infrastructure along the economic corridors that links the Northeast subregion to the rest of the country, nothing serious seems to be happening.”

The Governors said that the roads from Enugu to Maiduguri are in deplorable State and the railway from Enugu up to Maiduguri has been destroyed. “This is a major route for regional trade and very important for integration, peace building and improving national unity. The region is also not included in the National Infrastructure Plan for the transition from PMS to Compressed Gas.

They appealed to the Federal Government to consider the reconstruction of the basic infrastructure along Enugu-Maiduguri economic corridor and inclusion of Northeast in all National Development Plans and initiatives.

The Forum also deplored the blackout experienced by the region over the last one month and “the nonchalant attitude exhibited” by the TCN in addressing the issue of National importance for the security and development of the country.

“The Forum is keenly watching the commitment made by TCN to restore power to all the states of the region by the 27th May, 2024; accordingly, the Forum urged the Federal Government to direct TCN to take immediate action. The Forum has resolved in the short term, to set up a solar power plant that can generate a minimum 10 Megawatts per State.

They governors said that Northeast is the only region in Nigeria that has one transmission line supplying six states with a land mass of nearly 300,000 square kilometres and a population of over 35 million.

According to them, it has made the region the most vulnerable and most disadvantaged for industrial development and economic growth with over 70% of its population below 35 years of age.

It called on the Minister of Power to urgently implement the extension of the 330KV transmission line from Makurdi – Gassol – Jalingo linking to Adamawa – Gombe – Bauchi and the extension of the 330KV line from Kano- Bauchi- Yobe, linking to Borno.

The six governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe were in attendance.

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

Senator Barnabas Gemade has said that Governor Hyacinth Alia must have enemies to effectively deliver good governance to Benue people.

Sen. Gemade made the disclosure on Saturday at the 58th birthday celebration of Governor Alia held at the New Banquet Hall in Government House Makurdi.

He said in politics where the governor has found himself, he can not run away from political enemies if he want to develop the State.

The former minister of works who was the Chairman of the occasion said in politics whatever you do or say people interpret it differently and added that he must not be afraid of making enemies while bringing good governance to Benue people.

“This business that you are in now is politics and governance, there are enemies you cannot run away from. People will be elevated and others brought down.

“If you are doing something bad, some will want you to do something good and vice versa but search you conscience and do good for the masses and you will have satisfaction”. Gemade stressed.

Responding, Governor Hyacinth Alia also revealed that the Benue State Government would soon build a flyover in Otukpo the traditional headquarters of the Idoma nation.

Alia said his administration was determined to develop the State and appreciated the virtues of hard work and conscience of the poor masses.

He said the State was currently enjoying relative peace and most of the displaced farmers have return to their farms adding that more effort would be done by his administration for more peace to be achieved.

The Governor again emphasized that security was not spoken but executed.

Former Military administrator of Plateau and Katsina States Maj. Gen. Lawrence Onoja rtd lauded the Governor and described him as a ‘dogged man’, a liberator of the oppressed and a sacrificial and selfless servant of the people.

Maj. Gen Onoja rtd also the Guest Speaker of the occasion said Governor Alia was the people’s father, a rare politician, gentleman, philanthropist, philosopher, and a dogged believer in Mr. Presidents Renewed Hope Agenda as it supports the development and liberation of the oppressed and less privileged people of Benue State and beyond.

Quoting Gaylord Nelson, an American Politician and environmentalist, Gen Onoja rtd said Governor Alia has sacrificed for the future generations of the State by first living his priestly ordination to join politics and provide dividends of democracy to the people.

“Permit me to dwell on the sacrificial and selfless nature of His Excellency as you will all agree with me that His Excellency has indeed made a great sacrifice in my opinion to take up the mantle to serve as Governor of Benue State.

“This suggests that true moral character is demonstrated by the willingness to make sacrifices today that will have a positive impact on the future, even if those future generations may never know or express gratitude.

“This clearly describes the decision His Excellency has taken and also encourages all of us gathered here today to consider the long-term consequences of our actions and to prioritize the well-being of future generations over immediate gratification.

“By applying this we can collectively make choices that contributes to a sustainable and thriving future for the good people of Benue State and the nation at large.”Onoja said.

Benue APC acting Chairman, Benjamin Omakolo described the Governor as a remarkable leader, extra ordinary man whose journey in life has been that of passion for his people especially in improving their well being.

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee led by the Deputy National Secretary, Barr. Festus Fuanter eulogized the Governor as a man who is giving hope to Benue people in the area of infrastructural development.

“Do not be distracted. The party will stand by you for two reasons, generational and political so we can win next election do not be afraid as nothing good comes easy. We shall stand by you and ensure you surmount every obstacle that comes your way”, he said.

Member representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency Prince Solomon Wombo said the Governor was on a mission to salvage the State adding that the State needs a strong man at this time to take it out of the woods.

“We will stand with you and give you all the assistance. We pray that God should make you stronger than the enemies of Benue State. Any member of the national assembly not standing with you do not have foresight.” Wombo said.

The Anti-Vandal Unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested 11 suspected pipeline vandals opposite the depot of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited at Apir, a suburb of Makurdi, Benue State capital.

The State Commandant of the corps, Yakubu Ibrahim, who disclosed this on Saturday said that following an intelligence report, the command dispatched its team to the area opposite the NNPCL depot at Apir.

Ibrahim said that the team discovered an illegal vandalisation of an NNPCL pipeline also known as the Yola line at the location.

Ibrahim said, “Eleven persons were apprehended at the crime site and they will be taken for questioning and profiling.”

While describing the activities of the vandals as an “act of terrorism,” the commandant said the destruction which stretches over 10km was an economic sabotage.

“This is my first time. I’ve never seen a thing like this before. It’s disheartening that these excavated pipelines which may have cost so much would be sold for pittance, indicative that the well-being of the Nigerian people was never in their consideration,” the commandant said.

Ibrahim expressed sadness over what he described as a “conspiracy of silence” by the residents and traditional rulers of the community near the scene of the incident. He, however, promised to investigate if they were found complicit.

He urged the people of the state to be more vigilant and more conscious of activities in their environment.

Items recovered at the site were the vandals’ working equipment with 16 cut pipelines.

In late April 2024, men of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards arrested two pipeline vandals in Yakyor in Apir, a suburb of Makurdi.

The culprits were trailed and arrested at the weekend after they had sold the first batch of the loot for N400,000 and shared the money, according to Joseph Har, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs.