Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has praised President Bola Tinubu for approving ₦68 billion in operational support for the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant.

The funding, scheduled to be released in phases between March 2026 and December 2028, is intended to tackle the persistent power shortages in Borno State, which have been worsened by insurgent attacks on critical infrastructure.

Ndume made the remarks in Abuja on Monday, noting that the restoration of stable electricity would stimulate economic activities, strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises, and enhance ongoing military operations against insurgents.

The federal lawmaker said, “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.

“The fund released to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant is a lifeline that would ultimately engender economic activities, particularly operations of Medium and Small Scale Enterprises (SMES).

“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 recruitment of able-bodied men by the terrorists.

“Apart from that, the stimulus for the seamless operations of our military would have been strengthened.”

The former Senate Chief Whip also called on relevant federal and state authorities, the military, and residents to ensure that power infrastructure is protected from destruction by insurgents and vandals.

“It is to the eternal credit of the federal government that it has responded speedily to our lamentations over power shortage.

“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. When power is restored, it will boost economic activities and improve livelihoods. It will also strengthen efforts to address security challenges.”

He further urged citizens to take responsibility for protecting electricity facilities and to support security agencies in preventing acts of vandalism.