About N1.2bn has been released by the Federal Government to the Taraba State Government for different tasks ahead of the final take-off of work on the 3,050 megawatts Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
It was gathered that the funds were released for survey works and the sensitisation of various host communities occupying the site where the plant is to be constructed.
The N2tn power project is located in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State and its construction has lingered for about 40 years.
Officials at the Federal Ministry of Power disclosed that about N700m was first released for survey works on the project site, while additional N500m was paid to the state for sensitisation of host communities.
The Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, visited Taraba State, where he met with the State Governor, Darius Ishaku, and discussed issues bordering on the 3,050MW project, among others.
According to senior officials at the ministry, the minister and the governor agreed to address the challenges confronting the smooth take-off of the project.
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Mamman, who tweeted some of the highlights of the Wednesday meeting via his official Twitter handle, stated that the Federal Government and Taraba State discussed how to speed up work on the project.
He said, “I paid a visit to the Taraba State Government House where I met with the governor and brother.
“We held discussions centred on how to speed up the final take-off of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and other power issues affecting the state.”
I paid a visit to the Taraba State Government house today where I met with my Governor and brother H.E. @IshakuDarius, we held discussions centered on how to speed up the final take-off of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and other power issues affecting the State. pic.twitter.com/rhBNZeYLAx
— Engr. Sale Mamman (@EngrSMamman) August 5, 2020
The 3,050MW Mambilla project had faced series of setbacks over time, as the Federal Government was awaiting the comprehensive list of those who own the land where the plant is to be sited so as to begin the payment of compensation.
Officials at the ministry stated that the Federal Government had yet to make progress on the project due to the non-payment of compensation.
Ministry officials said that the outbreak of COVID-19 had also slowed the sequence of events on the project, but expressed optimism that the minister’s visit to the state would trigger the commencement of work on the project.
