On August 31, 2017, NAIJ.com reported that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has approved 5.792 billion dollars (about N1.140 trillion) for the construction of the 3,050 megawatts Mambilla hydro-power project at Gembu in Taraba.
Babatunde Fashola, the minister of power, works and housing said the construction should take about 72 months to complete.
He said: ''The memorandum from the ministry of power, works and housing was to the award of the Mambilla Hydro-Power plant.
''I believe that many of you have heard of this project. Nigeria started talking about it since 1972; that is about 45 years ago.
''Several efforts had been made to bring it to reality but I’m happy to announce that this government approved the contract today to joint ventures of Chinese civil and engineering company for the engineering and turn-key contract, including civil and electro-mechanical works for 5.792 billion dollars.''
Below are some facts to know about this power project:
1. Capacity
The power plant is expected to be 3050 MW. This 3050MW project will be the biggest single power project in Nigeria.
2. How the project was revived
The major breakthrough in the execution of this project was achieved when President Muhammadu Buhari initiated discussions at the level of the President of the Peoples Republic of China, in the course of his State Visit in April, 2016.
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3. Companies awarded the contract
The project was awarded to a consortium of three Chinese Companies — CGCC, SINOHYDRO and CGCOC. Messrs CGCC-SINOHYDRO-CGOCC Joint Venture was formed to accomplish this landmark project.
4. Total cost of the project
The landmark infrastructure project will cost Nigeria the sum of US 5,792,497,062.00, inclusive of taxes, environment utilization, works, as well as project land acquisition and compensation to workers.
5. People that will be affected
About 100,000 people will be need to be resettled. The construction cost includes compensation for these people.
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6. Scope
According to Fashola, the scope of works of the project will include the construction of four dams and 700 kilometres of transmission lines.
About three months ago, NAIJ.com reported that the electricity supply in Nigeria worsened when another system collapse happened in the power sector.
The collapse was recorded on Monday, May 8, after a culminated and significant drop in generation transmission and distribution of electricity in various states across Nigeria.
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In its report on Thursday, May 11, the presidency said there was a sudden drop on the system frequency from 51.06Hz to 43.37Hz.
Watch this NAIJ.com video on electricity in the country:
Source: Naij.com
ROSY CREST
Thursday 7 September 2017