ECOWAS, Energy China Explore Partnership to Strengthen West Africa’s Power Infrastructure

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun discussions with Energy China International (CEEC) to deepen cooperation on the development of regional energy infrastructure aimed at expanding electricity access and strengthening power systems across West Africa.

The engagement took place during a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, where officials from the ECOWAS Energy and Mines Directorate met with CEEC representatives to advance dialogue on priority regional energy projects.

The session also included participants from the West African Power Pool (WAPP), the regional body responsible for coordinating electricity generation and transmission among West African countries.

During the meeting, participants reviewed project portfolios, technical capabilities and potential financing channels designed to accelerate growth in the region’s power sector and support broader infrastructure development.

Discussions focused on exploring partnership opportunities and funding options for ECOWAS priority initiatives covering power generation, electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Acting Director of Energy and Mines at ECOWAS, William Baidoe, provided an overview of the Directorate’s mandate and ongoing programmes aimed at improving energy access across the region. These include projects to expand electricity distribution networks as well as initiatives to develop energy storage systems that can enhance the stability and reliability of power supply.

Also speaking at the meeting, Director of Planning, Investment Programming and Environmental Safeguards at WAPP, Kodjo Afidegnon, outlined the status of several priority projects under the ECOWAS Master Plan for the Development of Power Generation and Transmission Infrastructure (2019–2033).

Among the flagship initiatives highlighted were the CLSG interconnection project linking Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea; the North Core project connecting Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Benin; the OMVG interconnection linking Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau; and the Medium Backbone project connecting Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Afidegnon noted that the projects present significant financing and investment opportunities for development partners and international energy companies.

On behalf of CEEC, General Manager Huang Aijun highlighted the company’s expertise in conventional and renewable energy, grid expansion, power planning and electricity transmission infrastructure. He reaffirmed the company’s interest in supporting ECOWAS priority projects through technical support and access to diverse funding sources.

Both parties agreed to maintain close engagement on the identified projects in order to assess their development status and explore concrete areas of collaboration.

ECOWAS said the discussions reflect its continued efforts to build strategic partnerships and mobilise investments to improve electricity access, strengthen grid reliability and promote sustainable infrastructure development across West Africa.

ECOWAS, Energy China Explore Partnership to Strengthen West Africa’s Power Infrastructure

Sallah: FRSC deploys 620 personnel in Gombe

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Gombe Sector Command, has deployed no fewer than 620 personnel and operational logistics for the 2026 Eid-el-Fitri Special Patrol Operations.

Mr Samson Kaura, the Sector Commander of FRSC in the state disclosed this in Gombe while speaking in an interview with journalists.

Kaura said that the operation had commenced on Tuesday to end on March 22.

“The Federal Road Safety Corps, Gombe Command has deployed 620 personnel comprising regular and special marshals and operational logistics for the 2026 Eid-el-Fitr Special Patrol Operations.

“This is being done bearing in mind the kind of heavy traffic that comes with such festive period, so we are acting promptly to ensure safe and smooth travels during the Sallah celebrations,” he said.

In addition, he said 10 patrol vehicles, four ambulances and a tow truck were also deployed to serve the motoring public.
“We will enforce adherence to traffic regulations towards ensuring safety during the Sallah celebration.

“We advise drivers against engaging in dangerous driving, over speeding, route violations, overloading, use of phones while driving.

“We urge everyone to observe all traffic rules and regulations towards ensuring easy flow of traffic as personnel would be stationed on major routes.

“We must be mindful of the fact that it is only the living that can celebrate, so let’s drive safety and prioritise safety over speed or profits.

“Underage driving will not be permitted and use of drugs while driving too; we have commenced special patrol for enforcement and control of traffic,” he said.

Kaura further reiterated the command’s warnings against underage driving, particularly during the Sallah celebration in the state.

He said the call was imperative as child driving remained one of the causes of crash, alongside over speeding, overloading, dangerous driving and use of drugs and phone while driving.

He said that it had been observed that persons below 18 years drive cars, motorcycles and tricycles which he said was not permitted, stating that the FRSC would enforce compliance in that regard.

The sector commander assured the motoring populace of the command’s commitment to ensure safety while seeking their cooperation.

“I wish the Muslim faithful Happy celebration while assuring them of our readiness to serve them professionally,” he said.

Sallah: FRSC deploys 620 personnel in Gombe

63 terrorists’ bodies recovered after failed attack on Malam Fatori

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 3 Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), supported by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), have recovered no fewer than 63 bodies of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists following a failed infiltration attack on Malam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno.

Military sources said the insurgents launched the attack in the early hours of Wednesday, advancing on foot and deploying armed drones in an attempt to overrun the 68 Battalion position.

The sources disclosed that the attack, which originated from the Duguri axis through the frontage of Bravo Company, was met with overwhelming resistance from troops, backed by precision air strikes.

According to the sources, the coordinated response led to a decisive defeat of the terrorists, who suffered heavy casualties during the engagement.

“Following the engagement and subsequent clearance operations, a total of 63 terrorist bodies were recovered within and around the general area of Malam Fatori, indicating the scale of losses inflicted on the insurgents,” a military source said.

He added that the Air Component conducted multiple interdiction missions, delivering accurate strikes on identified enemy concentrations, which significantly degraded their fighting capability.

“The synergy between air and ground forces ensured that the terrorists were fixed and neutralised in large numbers, forcing the remnants to withdraw in disarray towards the Arege axis,” he said.

The sources further revealed that allied Nigerien forces also carried out supportive strike missions, increasing pressure on the fleeing insurgents, although full battle damage assessment from those operations was still ongoing.

On own casualties, the sources confirmed that four soldiers sustained minor injuries during the encounter and have since been treated and stabilised.

They noted that the general security situation in the area remained calm but unpredictable, with troops maintaining high alert and dominance of the general area to forestall further attacks.

63 terrorists’ bodies recovered after failed attack on Malam Fatori