…as Gov Yahaya hails constitutional amendment granting state govts right to generate, transmit, distribute electricity
Segun Babatunde, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has described the Dadin Kowa Multipurpose Dam as a very crucial project to the livelihood and socio-economic growth and development of not only Gombe State but the whole of North East Subregion.
This is as the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Sulaiman Adamu explained that “the power is an integral component of Dadin Kowa Multipurpose Dam which was built in 1988 with the reservoir capacity of 2.8 billion cubic litres to provide with the goal of providing 6000 hectares of irrigation, 40MW of electricity and 30,000 cubic meters daily water supply to Gombe and environs”.
Governor Yahaya who spoke tduring the commissioning of the 40MW Hydropower Project,
noted that the multipurpose dam currently provides millions of litres of water supply to the state capital and environs.
According to him, “And with the current water expansion project we are undertaking, the facility could provide 50 to 70 million liters of water to Gombe Metropolis and its surrounding communities daily. This is in addition to the provision of irrigation and fishing facilities to the local communities”.
“The completion and commissioning of this power project represents a milestone in the energy independence of the North East Subregion. This, and the Kashimbla Power Project are the only grid generating plant in the North east Subregion and therefore they are crucial to the grid and voltage stability in the Subregion”, he said.
Governor Yahaya also remarked that the decision of his administration to site the multi-billion Naira Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park within the vicinity of the Dadinkowa dam was informed by the power and irrigation potentials of the facility.
He said Gombe State under his administration is on the path of economic independence and sustainability.
“Our administration is already working on the 200MW solar power project under the Northern Governors’ Renewable Energy Initiative. In addition, we are working to harness our Hydropower potential at Balanga Dam in order to boost Gombe State energy capacity.
“The discovery and subsequent exploration of oil in the Kolmani region in Gombe State has added gas power to the generation mix which is essential to our industrialisation agenda which we are pursuing rigorously” he added, citing the deliberate efforts of his government in creating favourable environment for businesses to thrive as an investment that stated yielding positive results.
He said the recently Gombe State was celebrated for the second time, as the No. 1 in the ease of doing business ranking in the country, relating the feat to the good policies and programmes of his government.
“We are intentional in creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive through deliberate formulation of favourable policies and provision of infrastructures and services to support business creation and growth.
“Our administration is committed to working with private investors and development finance institutions to plea a sluggish comparative advantage for the benefit of our people”, he added.
He commended the recent constitutional amendment that permits state governments rights to generate, transmit and distribute electricity, saying it will go along way in galvanizing stakeholders at subnational level to exploit their potentials by leveraging the comparative advantage they have.
Governor Yahaya commended all stakeholders and collaborators especially the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari for its zeal and commitment ensuring the project reaches its logical conclusion despite the technical, financial and sundry challenges faced on the course of its execution, vowing to ensure that the people of Gombe State will benefit immensely from the project.
In his address, the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Sulaiman Adamu explained that “the power is an integral component of Dadin Kowa Multipurpose Dam which was built in 1988 with the reservoir capacity of 2.8 billion cubic litres to provide with the goal of providing 6000 hectares of irrigation, 40MW of electricity and 30,000 cubic meters daily water supply to Gombe and environs”.
He informed the gathering that the statutory inspection, testing and certifications of the project by the relevant agencies of government have been completed making it ready for commissioning, appreciating all stakeholders who participated in the making of the success story especially Mabon Limited, the concessioneer Company that undertook the project.
The Minister listed other areas in which Gombe State in particular will benefit from the project to include: industrialisation, promotion of medium and small scale industries, employment generation among others.
He specifically pointed out the legacy project of Inuwa Yahaya located only few kilometers from the station as one of the potential beneficiaries of the project.
“I am happy to have seen the fantastically large Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park very well located and sited to receive a lot of benefits from water supply from the dam and the hydropower it is generating”, he said.
Ealier in his welcome address, the Managing Director, Upper Benue River Basin Authority, Engr Abubakar Halilu Muazu said the construction of Dadin Kowa Multipurpose Dam commenced in 1982 and was completed in 1986, but the power generating component was only developed in the recent years.
The MD explained that the concession agreement that saw to the construction of the power plant was earlier signed in 2005, but due to some legal, technical and financial challenges it was only able to be completed in December, 2020.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Mabon Limited, Engr Richard thanked all stakeholders especially the Federal and state governments as well as the host community for their efforts and contributions towards making the project a reality.
According to the Engr, the power station has so far contributed 401 Gigawatt of power to the national grid, assuring of effective and efficient handling of the facility.
In his Goodwill message, the Emir of Gombe and Chairman Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, Alh. Dr Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III CFR represented by the Mai of Kaltungo, Engr. Saleh Muhammad, described the project as historic, calling on the authorities concerned to ensure that the host community and especially the people of Gombe State at large benefit much from the project.
“Power is one of our problems and with this project, I am hopeful the problem of power will be addressed. And I also hope the power generated here will help in boosting our industrial sector especially looking at the proximity of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park to the power plant”, he remarked.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya along side the Honourable Minister and other top government functionaries were conducted round the facility for inspection.
Other dignitaries who accompanied the governor to the site include: The Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, The Speaker Gombe State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Hon. Commissioners, Special Advisers and other top government functionaries.
