By
Muhammed Jamil Abubakar
The Federal Government has inaugurated the 40 Megawatts Dadin Kowa multipurpose hydroelectric dam in Gombe State.
Performing the inauguration President Muhammadu Buhari said the power station would be remedied to a significant extent.
The President who was represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Sulaiman Adamu said the dam would also provide agricultural opportunities to farmers in Gombe State.
According to President Buhari, the power plant was completed in 2020 adding that relevant Government agencies have tested and certified its capacity.
Also speaking, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya lauded the initiative behind the project adding that the recent constitutional amendment granting states the power to generate, transmit and distribute electricity will no doubt galvanise stakeholders at subnational levels their comparative advantage in energy generation.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said his administration is committed to working with private investors and development finance institutions to fully explore this comparative advantage for the benefit of the people.
In his remark, the Managing Director of Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority Halillu Muazu, said the commissioning of the hydroelectric component has actualised President Buhari’s policy on financing public infrastructure by engaging the private sector under the build, operate and transfer concession agreement.
He said the hydroelectric power project was initiated in 2005 but faced a series of challenges including technicalities, financing and legal aspects.
