The federal government has officially launched the process of completing the 20 megawatt Farin Ruwa multipurpose dam in the Wamba local government area in Nasarawa state.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that the Federal Executive Council previously approved 8.1 billion naira for the completion of the dam.
Speaking in Nasarawa on Saturday, Water Resources Minister Suleiman Adamu said the dam project has potential for irrigation, water supply and stimulating socio-economic and industrial development in the state.
Adamu said the contract, which had a timeline of 24 months, included completion of the dike, spillway and dam exit work.
He added that it would include elements of water and hydropower supply, 20 kilometers of access road and the rehabilitation of some service districts that were already under construction before the abandonment of the project.
The minister noted that the project, which started in 2003, suffered setbacks due to lack of funding, hence the request from the state for the intervention of the federal government.
“In consideration of the state’s request, President Muhammadu Buhari graciously approved the resumption 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 supply system and the construction of 2,000 hectare irrigation infrastructure for the population,” Adamu explained.
He expressed optimism that once completed, the multi-purpose uses of the dam would benefit the people.
Adamu pledged the commitment of the current administration to promote infrastructure development that would improve the lives of all citizens and ensure socio-economic development.
In his speech, Governor Abdullahi Sule said that the potential of the Farin Ruwa waterfalls is more than tourism, with the capacity to generate 40 megawatts of electricity and 40,000 acres of irrigated land for agriculture.
Sule said that when he visited the waterfalls and found that the biggest challenge was the road infrastructure, the state awarded a 3 billion naira contract for the road network leading to the site.
The governor said the lower waterfall table could generate 15 megawatts of power while the dam itself could easily generate 25 megawatts of power, for a total capacity of 40 megawatts.
Sule said that when he took charge of the state, he learned that 5.8 billion naira had been spent on the abandoned project. So he looked for ways to carry it out in order to maximize its benefits.
The governor pledged the state’s commitment to support the full completion of the project on time.
(NAN)
