Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s approval of ₦68 billion for the operation of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP) will help improve electricity supply and also support efforts to reduce insecurity in Borno State.
Ndume, who represents Borno South, said in a statement on Tuesday that the decision by the federal government is a major relief for residents who have suffered years of power shortages caused by attacks on electricity infrastructure.
He explained that restoring stable power in the state will boost local business activities, especially small and medium-scale enterprises that depend heavily on electricity to survive.
According to him, better electricity supply will also indirectly affect security by reducing the environment that allows criminal recruitment and illegal activities to thrive.
He added that when businesses are active and the economy is working, young people are less likely to be drawn into violence or criminal groups.
Ndume also said that improved power supply will support military operations in the fight against insurgency, noting that terrorist groups tend to operate more easily in areas with poor visibility and no electricity.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the approval shows the government is responding to long-standing calls from the people of Borno for reliable electricity.
He also praised the governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and other stakeholders for consistently pushing for solutions to the power crisis.
Ndume warned that government agencies, security forces, and citizens must work together to protect power installations from destruction by insurgents and vandals.
He stressed that safeguarding electricity infrastructure is important because the benefits of stable power go beyond comfort—it directly supports economic growth and improves security conditions.
The former Senate leader also urged communities to remain vigilant and help security agencies prevent sabotage of critical facilities.
The ₦68 billion funding for the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant was introduced as a federal intervention project in 2021 after repeated attacks on power infrastructure left parts of the state without electricity for almost two years.
Under the new arrangement, the funds will be released in phases of ₦2 billion monthly from March 2026 to December 2028 to ensure steady operation and maintenance of the plant.