Economy
International Firm Proposes 50MW Gas Plant To Boost Power In Borno

International Firm Proposes 50MW Gas Plant To Boost Power In Borno
International firm proposes 50MW gas plant to boost power in Borno. An international film has proposed to build a 50-MW new gas-power plant in Auno, a suburb of Maiduguri to improve electricity supply in the state.
That is from Fikahel to Balbaya about 22km inter-town connections, and along the route we have some communities like Tsangayari, Chongom, Limanti and Kuba, we all provided electricity courtesy of Borno State government,” he said.
The general manager said that the rural electrification in Southern Borno had extended from Tashan Itashe to Tashan Tsamiya all in Bayo local government.
“In some parts of Northern Borno, we have electrified Mafa, the Headquarters of Mafa local government.
“And recently His Excellency graciously approved a lot of funds to electrify Dikwa town. And the project is currently ongoing, our engineers and technicians are on the site working,” Bukar said.
He also said that the board had sent an estimate proposal for the electrification of communities from Dikwa to Gamboru Ngala about two weeks ago.
“Maiduguri-Konduga, Konduga-Bama Inter-Town Connections (ITC), that is ITC, is already completed. As we speak our staff are currently working in Konduga township and Bama to restore electricity.
“As for Bama-Gwoza, we have started erecting poles because we are expanding to about 82km, and we are trying to meet up with our target before the rainy season.
“We have divided the work into phases and the 1st phase is to plant the poles, if the poles are well erected, the overhead materials will come later.
“So the poles’ erection has commenced from Bama-Gwoza up to Limankara,” he explained.
Mr Bukar also announced that the board had also forwarded a proposal for the electrification of communities of Yara and Gora towns, among others in Southern Borno.
“From Maiduguri to Gajiram, the headquarters of Nganzai local government, we are now mobilising to start work.
Fund had been released.
“We have submitted our proposal for the electrification of communities from Gajiram to Monguno to electrify Monguno and the proposal is receiving attention now,” the general manager said.
He, however, said that there was no light at the moment in Malam Fatori because of insurgency related issues; saying “the area is not accessible for now.
“Guzamala, Kukawa and Mobbar too don’t have light presently.”
Mr Bukar said that the board had succeeded in restoring light from Magumeri to Gubio in 2021 but they were unable to restore light in Kala-Balge, in Ngala Balge Local Government area.
“Marte no light but we have put its estimates in our 2025 budget proposal but as you know we cannot embrace all the projects at a time. They are capital intensive and equally we cannot start a project that we cannot complete.
“We are doing them (projects) in phases. If we finish with two, three local governments, then we go to another local government.
“Marte is there in our proposal, Guzamala is there in our proposal, Kukawa, Baga and Damasak towns are all there in our proposal.
“In Southern part there is no local government that doesn’t have light with the exception of Damboa because of insurgency.
“But recently we have rehabilitated Uba to Askira and we have restored light to Askira that was between November and December 2024,” the general manager said.
According to him, light has also been restored from Askira to Chibok, adding that only Damboa remains in dark, though its rehabilitation work was also captured in the 2025 budget.
“North Central is all electrified. In Kaga local government area, the transmission line was vandalised and His Excellency has asked us to bring an estimate and the matter is receiving attention,” the general manager said.
Mr Bukar also announced that Gov. Babagan Zulum has released more than N300 million recently for a company to refurbish all the transformers that needed to be refurbished and other substations that required certain maintenance.
The 52-MW Maiduguri Emergency Power Project (MEPP) which was built by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in form of intervention to provide reliable and sustainable electricity to Maiduguri is generating 32-MW with a daily average capacity of 14.20MW as at December 2024.

Gas Plan
MEPP is operating at unsuitable tariff of 6.2USc/kWh paid by NBET vs. Cost tariff of 15.88USc/kWh for an average of 41MW CCPP as at Sep. 2024.
The initiative behind the construction of MEPP by Mr Buhari’s administration in 2021 was aimed at bringing a lasting solution to extended power outages caused by vandalism and insurgency attacks on power supply infrastructure.
Based on that Mr Buhari directed the management of NNPC Ltd then to restore power supply to Maiduguri and its environs but Borno is still experiencing serious power outage hence the need for required additional power generating plants to meet its population needs.
Crime
Customs Seizes 34,470L Of Smuggled Petrol At Taraba-Cameroon Border

Customs Seizes 34,470L Of Smuggled Petrol At Taraba-Cameroon Border
Customs seizes 34,470L of Smuggled petrol at Taraba-Cameroon border. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its crackdown on fuel smuggling, seizing 34,470 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and a heavy-duty transportation truck in a three-hour operation along the Taraba-Cameroon border.
The enforcement, led by the Customs’ Operation Whirlwind unit, targeted smugglers operating through Gembu and Kan-Iyaka in Sardauna LGA, a known smuggling corridor.
Speaking at a public auction in Jalingo, Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the operation was carried out with support from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Adeniyi explained that intelligence from the inter-agency intelligence fusion center detected unusual fuel movement patterns in the Sorofi and Kan-Iyaka areas between March 8 and 9, 2025.
Acting on this, field teams executed a series of coordinated interceptions, disrupting what appeared to be an emerging smuggling route.
The seizure included 1,149 Jerry cans of PMS, each containing 30 liters, totaling 34,470 liters. A specialized transportation truck valued at ₦4 million was also confiscated, bringing the total duty-paid value to ₦37.78 million.
Adeniyi noted that a significant portion of the smuggled fuel was intercepted in Gembu, while 180 Jerry cans and the truck were seized en route to the Kan-Iyaka border crossing.

Cameroon Border
Describing fuel smuggling as a threat to national security and economic stability, Adeniyi urged security agencies to remain vigilant. He stressed that petrol is vital to economic activities and warned that shortages could slow down the economy.
He reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to tackling smuggling networks and safeguarding Nigeria’s energy sector and economic interests.
Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom Lawmaker Covers Medical Bills For Patients At Palmer Memorial Hospital

Akwa Ibom Lawmaker Covers Medical Bills For Patients At Palmer Memorial Hospital
Akwa Ibom Lawmaker covers medical bills for patients at palmer memorial Hospital. For patients at Palmer Memorial Hospital in Ikot Usen, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, financial hardship often stood between them and life-saving treatment. That changed when Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Basy Okon, the Member Representing Itu-Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, stepped in to settle outstanding medical bills, offering patients a renewed chance at life.
The compassionate gesture came during Day 2 of the ongoing free medical and surgical outreach sponsored by the lawmaker across Itu and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas. While inspecting the outreach on Day 1, Okon learned of emergency cases where patients remained stranded due to unpaid hospital bills.
Moved by their plight, he personally cleared their debts a decision he emphasized was outside the outreach’s budget, but a private intervention to support his constituents in urgent need.
Among the beneficiaries was Abasima Offiong, who had suffered a spinal cord injury and required emergency surgery. With no means to cover the cost, his condition was critical, until Hon.Okon’s intervention ensured his procedure was fully funded.
Another case was Idongesit Ndifreke, who had undergone a Caesarean section but remained in the hospital for over two weeks due to unpaid bills. The lawmaker’s generosity not only secured her discharge but also allowed her to return home with her newborn.

Akwa Ibom
One of the most harrowing stories involved a woman whose unborn child had died in the womb. Lacking funds for an emergency procedure, her life hung in the balance. Overcome with emotion, Okon immediately took over the cost of surgery, ensuring swift medical intervention to save her life.
Speaking during the event, the lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to humanitarian efforts. “When God blesses us, we should also be a blessing to others,” he said, underscoring the importance of compassion and community support. Grateful beneficiaries and their families hailed Okon’s intervention as both timely and life-saving.
As the free medical and surgical outreach continues, it remains a beacon of hope for residents of Itu and Ibiono Ibom, reinforcing Okon’s dedication to accessible healthcare and the well-being of his constituents.
Economy
Government Approves N1.149bn For Solar Street Lights, Infrastructure In Gombe

Government Approves N1.149bn For Solar Street Lights, Infrastructure In Gombe
Government approves N1.149bn for solar street lights, infrastructure in Gombe. He said the governor approved the projects to align with his vision for infrastructure development.
The Gombe government has approved N1.149 billion for the installation of solar street lights and other infrastructure in three local government areas of the state.
Mahmood Yusuf, director-general, Joint Project Development Agency, stated this at a news conference on Thursday in Gombe.
He said the Joint Project Council (JPC) meeting chaired by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, approved the projects to align with his vision for infrastructure development.
Mr Yusuf listed the projects to include the installation of solar street lights on newly constructed roads in Kumo at the total cost of N740 million; fencing of the NALDA market and installation of solar street lights at Kwadon area of Yamaltu/Deba, costing N362 million.
He said that N47 million has been approved for the expansion of the grains market and construction of six public toilets in Billiri.
Mr Yusuf said that the N112 million grain market project was approved in 2024, but reviewed upward to N159 million, to provide six additional toilets.
The director said the council also approved the deployment of GOSTEC and Operation Hatara personnel, to scale surveillance in schools and cemeteries in the state.
He said the measure was sequel to complaints over spate of theft in public buildings by the ALGON Chairman, Sani Haruna.
“The council has resolved to implement stricter security measures by deploying GOSTEC and Operation Hattara to enhance surveillance. The scope of Operation Hattara would be expanded to cover all the 11 LGAs,” he said.

Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya
Also, Fatima-Binta Bello, chairperson, Shongom Local Government Council, expressed readiness to consolidate on Mr Yahaya’s achievements in education and health sectors.
She stressed the need to strengthen human resources through recruitment of qualified personnel to address manpower gaps and enhance quality service delivery, especially at primary healthcare and basic education level.
Similarly; Ahmad Wali, chairman, Kwami LGC, said the council had initiated resurvey and remapping of grazing reserves and cattle routes to check farmer/herder clashes.
He warned that anyone found encroaching cattle routes and grazing lands would be sanctioned.
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