Business
Sambo Assures On Uninterrupted Power Supply
The Federal Government has assured the people of Borno State of adequate power supply to boost economic activities in the state and beyond.
Vice President Namadi Sambo gave the assurance last Saturday when he paid a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar, in his palace in Maiduguri.
He said that the government had taken measures to address the problem of power supply in the country.
Sambo noted that the five megawatts of electricity being allocated to the state, was grossly inadequate, and said that efforts to extend a 330 KVA transmission line to the state had reached an advanced stage.
“The line is coming from Gombe-Potiskum–Damaturu and to Maiduguri. So, very soon there will be adequate power supply and this will enhance the capacity of businesses in the state,” he assured.
According to him, the Federal Government has put the issue of development of the country in its forefront.
He promised that government would not relent in achieving its objectives of exploring oil and other solid minerals in Borno State.
“In addition to what we have been doing, we have provided funds, about N500 billion CBN intervention funds, for businessmen in Nigeria to access and expand their businesses.
“We are deliberately intervening in ensuring that we explore the oil and gas so that the economy of this sector and the country can be immediately transformed.
“Your Highness, that is what we are today calling the Jonathan/Sambo transformation,” the vice president said.
On security, Sambo told the Emir that everything was being done by the government, to ensure the security of lives and property of all Nigerians.
“We would not allow insecurity in this country. Our first contract is to ensure that everybody is safe, everybody is free to run his or her normal way of life, businesses and to be comfortable.
“We cannot be seen to grow and develop if there is insecurity,” he added.
Commenting on the lake Chad Basin, Sambo revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan and the State Governor, Sen. Ali Madu Sherrif would be travelling to Chad soon for a meeting, on the issue.
The meeting, he said, would discuss and address the problems of the Lake Chad Basin.
Earlier, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar, had appealed to the Federal Government to resume full Oil exploration in the Chad Basin and to resuscitate the Chad Basin Development Authority.
He also called for the deployment of more security personnel to the state, to check the influx of illegal immigrants into the country.
Umar congratulated Sambo for the honorary degree of letters conferred on him by the University of Maiduguri at its 21st convocation.