From Aliyu Muraki, lafia
Federal Government has flagged off for completion the Farin-Ruwa Hydropower Multipurpose Dam, in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Speaking at the ceremony in Wamba LGA, the Minister of Water Resources Malam Suleiman Adamu, said the project had 24 months period for completion.
The Minister said the project was originally initiated and started by Nasarawa State Government in 2004 to generate 2000 hydro-power electricity to boost socioeconomic development of the state.
He explained that the implementation of the projects suffered setback due to paucity of funds.
Malam Suleiman Adamu explained that the state government therefore solicited the intervention and take over by the Federal Government in order to actualize the project.
He noted that, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari and he graciously approved the takeover and completion of the project in October 19, 2018.
The Minister further explained that the President had also approved the expansion of the project to include regional water scheme and construction of irrigation infrastructures of 2000 hectares for dry season farming to serve the people of the area.
He lauded the Nasarawa State Government for initiating the project and provision of necessary logistics for smooth takeover.
Malam Suleiman also commended the governor for constructing the access road to the project that originally was supposed to be part of the items to be constructed by the FG.
The Minister assured the people of the state that the Federal Government would ensure the project was completed within the stipulated period and according to contract specifications.
Suleiman Adamu also emphasized that “Buhari-led administration would remain committed toward the provision of the needed infrastructures that would guarantee socioeconomic development of the country”.
Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State commended the FederalGovernment, the Minister of Water Resources, for taken over hydro-power multipurpose dam project.
Sule maintained 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.
The governor also commended Senator Abdullahi Adamu, first executive Governor of the state for initiating the project and also thanked successive administrations for their efforts towards ensuring that the project was completed.
Governor Sule further explained that “I decided the construct the 15. 5 kilometers access road to ensure 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 megawatt electricity that would serve the entire state and supply the Federal Capital Territory and beyond”.
The governor therefore promised that the people of the area would support and corporate with the contractor to ensure the timely completion of the project.