Seventeen years after, the federal government, on Saturday, flagged off the completion of Farin-Ruwa Hydropower Multipurpose Dam, in Wamba Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State.
Daily Trust reports that the project was originally initiated in 2004 to generate 2000 hydropower electricity to enhance the socio-economic development of the state.
- NAHCON accepts cancellation of 2021 Hajj, announces plan to refund pilgrims
- Kano: 2 ex-guber candidates, 27 state coordinators of Kwankwasiyya decamp to APC
It was initiated by the then administration of the first civilian governor of the state, now a senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, but was abandoned not until Governor Abdullahi Sule came on board and revive it.
While officially flagging off the project in Wamba LGA, Malam Suleiman Amadu, Minister of Water Resources, said the project had the duration of 24 months within which it would be completed.
The minister added that the implementation of the projects had suffered a major setback following the paucity of funds.
According to him, the state government, however, solicited the intervention and take over by the federal government in order to actualise the project.
He said the Federal Ministry of Water Resources wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari and he graciously approved the takeover and completion of the project on October 19, 2018.
He further explained that the President had also approved the expansion of the project to include a regional water scheme and construction of irrigation infrastructures of 2000 hectares for dry season farming to serve the people of the area.
The minister commended the state government for the foresight in initiating the project and provision of necessary logistics for smooth takeover.
He promised the citizens that the project would be completed within the stipulated period and according to contract specifications.
Earlier, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, appreciated the President and the Minister of Water Resources and for taken over the hydropower multipurpose dam project.
He stated that the President had continued to play a fatherly role by approving anything that would lead to peace, progress and development of Nasarawa State since he assumed office as a governor.
Governor Sule explained that he decided to construct the 15. 5 kilometres access road to ensure a smooth takeover of the project even though it was part of what the FG would do in the area.
The governor said the dam has the capacity to produce 50 magawate electricity the would serve the entire state and supply the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.
