BACCIMA blows hot over total neglect of infrastructure development in the North
By Abbas Usman, Bauchi
Unsatisfied by the level of neglect of infrastructural development in the Northern part of the Country by the federal government, the Bauchi State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA) has observed that the Northern Part of the Country has been sidelined and relegated to the background.
The Chamber expressed worry over the removal of the region from the Compressed Natural Gas Presidential Initiative which present a significant opportunity to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape and promote environmental sustainability.
Hon. Aminu Mohammed Danmaliki, President of BACCIMA, and former Commissioner of Information in Bauchi State, made the assertion during a press conference held Wednesday 16th 2025 in Bauchi.
He explained that Northern Stakeholders, particularly indigenous investors and operators, have been sidelined in the process, contrary to the constitutional provision of Federal Character.
According to him, the North stands to lose in several economic opportunities and Job Creation while Southern Nigeria benefits from job creation in mechanical conversion, fueling station management, logistics, and training, saying without similar investments in the North, local economies miss out.
Hon Aminu Mohammed Danmaliki
According to him, “Northern Nigeria is in distress as it is witnessing the collapse of critical infrastructure and living with the daily consequences of unreliable electricity, broken roads, insecurity, and a generation of youths with no jobs and purposeful future or hope”
“I stand before you today not just as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, but as a son of the North, deeply concerned about the trajectory of our region. Our industries are choking. Our communities are struggling and yet, the federal gaze seems to have turned away.”
“This situation reflects a deep sense of marginalization and systematic neglect that many Northern Nigerians are feeling. But today, we say: enough is enough. We are not here to cry. We are here to lead. To propose solutions. To demand equity and to take responsibility for shaping our own future.”
“Thank God we have survived the onslaught of the Boko Haram that have killed and maimed hundreds of thousands of Nigerians, majority of whom were Muslims. The scourge of Boko Haram is not organic to our people. It is being fueled by forces outside the North, with cohorts within Nigeria led by America and their western allies which not only destroyed lives, driven away investors, but also crippled our local economies with the sole aim of destroying the North.”
“Our economy cannot develop in fear. We call on the Federal Government, Intelligent Agencies and our International Partners to investigate and expose the sponsors of insecurity which the Federal Government knows them, the North must be safe for growth,” he added.
Danmaliki said, “Peace is not a privilege it is a right. Furthermore, the oil discovered in Kolmani in Bauchi State which was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari after spending billions of Dollars was thrown overboard for political reasons by President Bola Tinubu, shamelessly, the lifting of the oil has been denied. Why has this administration done this? We demand action and accountability.”
“In addition, Northern Nigeria has been totally sidelined and removed from CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) Presidential Initiative which present a significant opportunity to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape and promote environmental sustainability,
“CNG is part of Nigeria’s broader energy transition plan, aimed at reducing dependency on petrol and diesel by promoting cleaner, more affordable fuels. This laudable programme is only concentrated in Southern Nigeria.”
“Private Sector Growth: Entrepreneurs and SMEs in the South gain more advantages in CNG-related businesses, such as vehicle conversion workshops and fleet services. Cost of Transportation CNG is significantly cheaper than petrol or diesel. In the North, where long-distance transportation is common and costs are already high, lack of CNG access keeps transport costs high affecting prices of goods, especially food and essentials.”
“Energy, Security and Environmental Impact. The North relies more on road transport for goods, so transitioning to cleaner fuels would significantly reduce emissions. Without CNG access, the region continues with high-polluting fuels,” he said
He said the North is missing out, economically, socially, and strategically, if the CNG initiative is not established in the region. It’s essential for stakeholders in the North (Chambers of Commerce, State Governments, Transport Unions ) to push for inclusion and possibly to propose public-private partnerships to build local capacity around CNG.”
The President used this opportunity to urge for an equitable expansion of CNG infrastructure including refueling stations, conversion centers, training hubs, and support services across Northern Nigeria to ensure national inclusivity, energy transition fairness, and economic development.
