Northern Governors sign MOU with GE for 5 power plants

 
Northern governors have signed a deal that will see construction of solar power plants in Borno, Kebbi, Nassarawa, Niger and Taraba states.The power plants will generate 500 megawatts of electricity together and help the states to improve economic and social activities of their people.

The Northern States Governors' Forum has announced the signing of a MoU with General Electric ‎International on Monday, November 28 for the construction of five solar plants that aim at generating 500 megawatts of electricity in some parts of Northern Nigeria.

Borno State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors' Forum, Kashim Shettima, who signed the agreement on behalf of the ‎Governors, made the announcement on Monday.
 
General Electric's Senior Executive, Western Europe and Africa, Armand Pineda and the President/Chief Executive Officer, ‎General Electric, Nigeria, Dr Lazarus Angbazo signed on behalf of their company in a brief ceremony which held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
Based on the agreement, GE will build five solar power plants in Borno, Kebbi, Nassarawa, Niger and Taraba states and each of the plants expected to generate 100 megawatts of electricity, totaling 500 megawatts across the 5 States.
Shettima noted that the electricity is meant to stimulate economic activities and social services in the affected States through boosting agricultural food processing, small scale businesses in addition to supplying electricity to schools and hospitals.

The project which is a pilot phase, is being coordinated by the Northern Nigeria Global Economic Re-integrationProgramme, newly created by the Northern Governors to serve as vehicle for the economic recovery of northern States through international relations on infrastructure, manufacturing, stimulate agricultural value chain and trade and make the region a global payer agricultural export in line with the vision of late Premier of the Region.
The Governors Forum led by Governor Kashim Shettima also employed Malam Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi as Chief Executive Officer of the Programme. Kurfi was Chief Economic Adviser to late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua and he has wide contact with leading development companies and financial institutions across the world.