Speaking in Nasarawa on Saturday,
Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, said the dam project had
potential for irrigation, water supply and boosting socioeconomic and
industrial development of the state.
Adamu said the contract, which had a 24-month timeline,
comprised the completion of the dam embankment, spillway and outlet works.
He added that it would include water supply and hydro power
components, 20 kilometres of access road and the rehabilitation of some service
quarters that had already been under construction before the project was
abandoned.
The minister noted that the project which started in 2003,
suffered setback due to lack of funding, hence the state’s soliciting for
intervention from the Federal Government.
“In consideration of the state’s request, President Muhammadu
Buhari graciously approved the take-over and completion of the project in 2018.
“The President not only approved the completion of the project
as designed, he also expanded it to include a regional water scheme and
construction of irrigation infrastructure of 2,000 hectares for the people,”
Adamu explained.
He expressed optimism that upon completion, the dam’s
multipurpose uses would be beneficial to the populace.
Adamu pledged the commitment of the present administration to
promoting infrastructural development that would improve the lives of all
citizens and guarantee socio-economic development.
In
his speech, Governor Abdullahi Sule said the potential in Farin Ruwa Waterfalls
was more than tourism, with the capacity to generate 40 megawatts of
electricity and 40,000 acres of irrigation land for agriculture.
Sule said that when he visited the
waterfalls and discovered the biggest challenge was road infrastructure, the
state awarded a N3 billion contract for the road network leading to the site.
The governor said that the bottom table of
the waterfalls could generate 15 megawatts of power while the dam itself could
easily generate 25 megawatts of power, totaling 40 megawatts capacity.
Sule said when he took over leadership in
the state, he learnt that N5.8 billion had been spent on the abandoned project,
hence he looked for means to complete it so as to maximize its advantages.
The Governor pledged the state’s commitment
to support the full completion of the project within the stipulated time. (NAN)
Nigeria news paper
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