The Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving ₦68 billion in operational support for the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, describing the move as a major step towards restoring economic life and improving security in Borno State.
Ndume made his position known in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, where he praised the Federal Government for what he called a timely and strategic intervention in a region that has suffered years of hardship due to insecurity and infrastructure damage.
The Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant was first conceived in 2021 as a special presidential project to tackle the prolonged blackout in Maiduguri and surrounding areas. The blackout followed the destruction of key electricity infrastructure by insurgents, leaving the state capital and nearby communities in darkness for nearly two years.
During that period, economic activities slowed sharply, with businesses struggling to operate without reliable electricity. Small-scale traders, artisans, and service providers were among the worst affected, as many could not afford alternative power sources such as generators and fuel.
The humanitarian situation also worsened, as hospitals, schools, and households faced serious challenges due to the lack of stable electricity supply. Residents repeatedly called on the government to intervene, warning that the blackout was deepening poverty and hardship in the region.
According to Ndume, the newly approved ₦68 billion support will be released in phases to ensure the steady operation of the power plant. He explained that the plan includes a monthly operational support of ₦2 billion from March 2026 to December 2028.
The funding, he said, is designed to cover the financial gaps that have affected the smooth running of the facility, ensuring that it can deliver consistent power to residents and businesses.
Reacting to the development, Ndume expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, noting that stable electricity would have far-reaching benefits for the people of Borno State.
“I join the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, and other well-meaning citizens of my state to express profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this great gesture aimed at ensuring stable electricity in the state,” he said.
He described the intervention as a lifeline that would revive economic activities, especially for small and medium-scale enterprises that depend heavily on power supply.
“The fund released to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant is a lifeline that would ultimately engender economic activities, particularly the operations of medium and small-scale enterprises,” Ndume added.
He stressed that improving the business environment in Borno could also play a role in addressing security challenges. According to him, when young people are engaged in productive work, they are less likely to be drawn into criminal or insurgent activities.
“As the saying goes, an idle mind is a devil’s workshop. When the informal sector thrives in a place like Borno State, the government would have succeeded in cutting off the supply chain for the recruitment of able-bodied men by terrorists,” he said.
Ndume further linked the restoration of electricity to ongoing military operations in the North-East, noting that improved lighting and power supply would support security efforts.
He described insurgents as “agents of darkness” who often take advantage of poor visibility to carry out attacks, especially at night. With better electricity supply, he said, communities and security agencies would be in a stronger position to monitor and respond to threats.
“Apart from that, the stimulus for the seamless operations of our military would have been strengthened,” he added.
The lawmaker also called on residents, security agencies, and government authorities to protect the power infrastructure from further attacks or vandalism. He warned that without proper safeguarding, the gains from the intervention could be lost.
“I urge our people to be vigilant and assist the security agencies in checking the excesses of vandals. We owe it a duty to safeguard the facilities, as the benefits of stable electricity are numerous,” Ndume said.
“It is to the eternal credit of the federal government that it has responded speedily to our lamentations over power shortage,” he added.
The North-East region, particularly Borno State, has faced over a decade of insurgency, which has destroyed homes, displaced millions, and damaged critical infrastructure, including roads, schools, and power facilities.
Efforts by successive governments to rebuild the region have included investments in security, humanitarian support, and infrastructure development. However, challenges remain, especially in restoring basic services like electricity.
For many residents of Maiduguri, the approval of funds for the emergency power plant brings renewed hope that normal life can gradually return.