Nasarawa State governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has sought further intervention from the Federal Government, to enable the state generate 50 megawatts of power, from Farin Ruwa, in Wamba Local Government Area.
Engineer Sule sought the assistance of the Federal Government, at the flagging-off ceremony for the completion work, on the Farin Ruwa Dam, initiated during the administration of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, by the Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, on Saturday.
Specifically, the governor requested for the Ministry of Water Resources, to assist the state, towards generating 25 megawatts at the table of the Farin Ruwa waterfalls and another 25 megawatts, at the Farin Ruwa dam when completed.
According to Engineer Sule, the entire Nasarawa State requires only about 10 megawatts of power, with the remaining 40 megawatts to be generated, to be uploaded to the national grid to power the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The governor, who described the Farin Ruwa falls as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, said the minister will write his name in gold, if he carries out the project.
Engineer Sule pointed out that, even though the original concept by the first civilian governor of the state, was to produce only 25 megawatts of power, his administration, has a vision to upscale the project to 50 megawatts.
“As an Engineer, I can see that, at the table of the falls, 25 megawatts can be easily generated. Then you have the dam. By the time the water floods and with 73m litres of water, coupled with the depth of the dam, you can easily generate another 25 megawatts.
“10 megawatts is enough to power the entire Nasarawa State, you have 40 megawatts to go to Abuja,” Engineer Sule explained.
The governor thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, for agreeing to takeover the Farin Ruwa dam project from the state government, further commending Buhari, for not hesitating to execute meaningful projects that will have impact on the lives of the people.
“The President wants to make impact. We want to copy from the President and make impact. We will make that impact with this project,” he stated.
Engineer Sule equally appreciated his predecessors, who were present at the event, as well as a retired permanent secretary at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Musa Weng, for their contributions, towards the actualisation of the project.
The governor recalled that, on assumption of office, when he was told that over N5bn was expended on the project, which was abandoned since 2007, with the facility mostly vandalized, he promised that such amount of money, must not be allowed to waste.
Engineer Sule specially appreciated the Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, for the various projects and support to the state.
Flagging-off the project, Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, said President Muhammadu Buhari, approved for the takeover of the Farin Ruwa earth dam project, from the Nasarawa State government in 2018.
According to the minister, President Buhari not only approved for the takeover of the project, but also additional proposal for expanding the project to include a regional water scheme and construction of irrigation infrastructure of about 2000 ha, to serve the people of the area.
Engineer Adamu disclosed that his ministry awarded the contract for the construction of the multipurpose earth dam project in Kwarra, Wamba Local Government Area, to a Chinese firm, Messrs. Wiz China Worldwide Engineering Limited, in November 2020, with a completion period of 24 months.
The minister appreciated the Nasarawa State government, for constructing the 15km Sisinbaki/Kwarra road, which he said, will facilitate the quick execution of the project.
In a goodwill message, first civilian governor of the state and initiator of the project, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, appreciated God, for the opportunity to witness the ceremony, which will bring to reality his dream.
Also, in a vote of thanks, immediate past governor of the state, who approached the Federal Government to takeover the project, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, appreciated all those who played key roles that lead to the flagging off of the completion of the Farin Ruwa dam project.
Senator Al-makura, specifically thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, for not only agreeing to take over the project, but for always coming to the aid of the state, which is considered his second home.
Earlier, in a welcome address, state Commissioner of Agriculture and Water Resources, Prof. Otaki Alanana, said the state government under the leadership of Engineer Sule, has pursued and implemented policies towards ensuring provision of critical inputs such as fertilizer and agro-chemicals, with water supply continuously receiving a boost.
