President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, 40MW Hydropower Station and Associated 132KV Switchyard, Transmission Line, and Distribution Substation (Phase I) Project, at Kashimbila Dam site in Taraba State.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said that President Buhari performed the inauguration in a virtual ceremony in Abuja.
The President underscored the importance of the project, highlighting its role in his administration’s commitment to achieving 30GW of electricity by 2030.
President Buhari, inviting Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, to unveil the project, said implementation and completion of the projects align with his policies to alleviate poverty, create jobs, enhance healthcare, and improve standard of living.
“The Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam in Taraba State, with storage capacity of 500million cubic metres, was conceived principally to checkmate the threat of the imminent collapse of the structurally weak and poisonous Lake Nyos, located at the line of volcanic activities in Cameroun Republic, which collapse could result in flooding and affecting millions of lives and properties.
‘‘Even though the Dam was meant to serve as a buffer to contain the possible discharge of water of Lake Nyos, the engineering design maximized the benefits of the Kashimbila ecosystem by incorporating a 40MW Hydropower Station, 60,000 cubic metre per day Water Supply Scheme, 2,000 hectares of Irrigation System, an airstrip, fishing activities, and tourism potentials”,’ he said.
According to the President, Phase I of the Power Evacuation Component of the Project includes the 132KV Switchyard, four substations at Takum, Wukari, Rafin Kada, Donga, and the rehabilitation of the existing 132KV Yandev substation.
It also involves the installation of a 245km, 132KV Double Circuits line from Kashimbila to Takum, Wukari, Yandev, as well as a 45km, 33kv Double Circuits line from Wukari to Donga through Rafin Kada, he added.
‘‘I understand that the Water Supply component that is intended to service Takum and its environs has reached about 65% progress, while the engineering design for the 2000 Hectare Irrigation Scheme has been fully completed, and physical works will commence in due course”,’ he said.
President Buhari assured Nigerians that other projects aimed at boosting electricity supply, such as the 40MW Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant in Gombe State and the 700MW Zungeru Hydropower Plant in Niger State, are also ready for commissioning.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Federal Ministry of Power for their efforts in delivering the Kashimbila Project, expressing his anticipation for increased collaboration among various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in infrastructure development.
The President also praised the host communities and the individuals affected by the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam Project for their cooperation, understanding, and support during the implementation of this significant undertaking.
