The Federa lGovernment has recently flagged off the construction of Farin Ruwa Hydro Power Multipurpose Dam in Samba Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.
Speaking at the ceremony at the Dam site, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources, said that the project had a completion period of 24 months.
The Minister said that the project was originally initiated and started by Nasarawa State Government in 2004 to generate 20 MW of Hydro Power Electricity to boost socioeconomic development of the state.
He explained that the implementation of the project had suffered major setbacks due to paucity of fund.
Adamu said that the State government, therefore, solicited the intervention and taking over of the project by the Federal government to ensure its speedy completion.
He further explained that on receipts of the State government’s request, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari who previously approved the take over and completion of the project on October 19, 2018.
Engr Adamu said the President had also approved the expansion of the project to include regional water scheme and the construction of I irrigation infrastructure of 2000 hectare of land for dry season farming to serve the people of the area.
The minister lauded the Nasarawa State government for initiating the project and providing all the necessary logistics for the smooth takeover.
He commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for constructing access road to the project site that originally was supposed to be part of the items to be constructed by the Federal government.
He assured the people of the state that the Federal government would ensure that the project was completed within the stipulated period and according to contract specifications.
Governor Abdullahi commended the Federal government and the Minister of Water Resources for taking over the Hydro Power Multipurpose Dam Project.
He said that President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to play a fatherly role by approving anything that would lead to peace, progress and development of Nasarawa state.
He also commended Senator Adamu,the First Executive Governor of the state, for initiating the project and also thanked successive administration for their effort towards ensuring that the project was completed.
The Governor said “I decided to construct the 15.5 kilometer access road to ensure smooth takeover of the project even though it was part of what the Federal government would do in the area, the Dam has the capacity to produce 50megawatts of electricity that would serve the entire state and supply the Federal Capital Territory and beyond “.
He assured the Federal government that the people of the area would give the contractor the needed support to ensure that the project was completed according to specification.
Signed,
Ari, Liman Aminu.
Head of Centre, Lafia.
