Senate probes $5.792bn Mambila hydroelectric power project

The Senate on Thursday mandated its standing committees on appropriation, power and finance to probe into the entire Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project (MHEPP) transactions from 1999 to date.

The Senate also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to include the project as one of his major “legacy projects” in the country.

The resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Manu Haruna (Taraba Central) and co-sponsored by a former governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje; former Senate President Ahmad Lawan and 26 other senators.

Senator Manu argued that the federal government through the federal Ministry of Power had signed a contract with a consortium of Chinese Contractors comprising CGGC, SHC, and CGOC in 2017, to construct the 3050MW Mambila power plant in Taraba State.

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He, however, lamented that the project had not been completed since then.

Contributing, a former governor of Gombe State and former Minister (State) for Power and Steel, Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to break the jinx by making the power plant functional in the interest of the nation.

Senator Goje lamented that despite the huge benefits that Nigerians stand to gain from the plant if completed, the project has suffered a setback sequel to legal issues surrounding it.

He said, “I give my full support to this very important motion that is meant to change the economic landscape of Nigeria.

“Unfortunately, despite the obvious and glaring importance of this project, it has suffered so many setbacks. We hope Mr President, Bola Tinubu will break this jinx by ensuring the take-off of this important project.”