By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), on Saturday, decried the impending flood disaster in the subregion, calling for proactive measures to confront the situation and robust sensitisation of settlers along flood plains.
It also urged the Federal Government and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to reconstruct infrastructure damaged by floods, especially bridges in the region.
Our correspondent reports that Governor Agbu Kefas, during his welcome speech at the meeting in Jalingo, appealed to the Federal Government and the NEDC to step up action and reconstruct broken infrastructure in the subregion, particularly bridges in Taraba State.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, signed by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, and read by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, the Forum commended the Federal Government for the successes recorded in the fight against insurgency, as well as the growing cooperation and collaboration among member states in the subregion.
“While the North-East Governors’ Forum acknowledges the appreciable success recorded in the onslaught against insurgency in the region, we regret that the subregion is still confronted by daunting humanitarian and infrastructural challenges.
Forum took into cognisance the forecast of credible agencies on climate risk and the impending flood disaster in the subregion. It therefore calls for proactive measures in confronting the flood and robust sensitization of settlers along the flood plains. It also calls for support from both the Federal Government and NEDC to reconstruct the broken infrastructure, especially bridges affected by the flood,” the communiqué read.
The Forum also lamented the rising cost of agricultural inputs, warning that it could negatively impact farm yields next year.
“To avert an impending food crisis, the Forum calls for more subsidies to farmers and robust preparation for dry-season farming,” it said.
On economic cooperation, the governors announced that the North-East Trade Fair, in partnership with NECCIMA, will hold in Maiduguri, Borno State, in December 2025.
Building on earlier commitments to renewable energy, the Forum also resolved to address energy poverty by mandating its Committee on Power and Energy to develop an integrated subregional power master plan.
The communiqué further congratulated the University of Maiduguri on its golden jubilee anniversary, pledging support for the celebration and the re-launch of the University’s Endowment Fund scheduled for November 2025.
The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to addressing common subregional concerns and pursuing collective action on issues of security, social welfare, and economic integration. It fixed its next meeting for December 12–14, 2025, to be held in Maiduguri, Borno State.
