Buhari commissions Kashimbila Dam after 15 years of abandonment by previous administrations 

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally inaugurated the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, together with its 40 megawatt hydropower station, following decades of its abandonment by past administrations.

The power station at the dam has has an associated 132KV switchyard, a transmission line, in addition to the distribution substation phase I project,  located at the dam site in Taraba State.

Speaking at a virtual ceremony held at the council chamber of the State House in Abuja, the president underscored the importance of the project, highlighting its role in his administration’s commitment to achieving the target of 30GW of electricity in the country by 2030, under the Electricity Vision 30:30:30.

President Buhari noted that the Electricity Vision Initiative aims to have renewable energy contribute at least 30% to the energy mix, thereby expediting the expansion of electricity access.

Speaking further, President Buhari said that the implementation and completion of the Kashimbila projects were in line with his government’s policies to alleviate poverty, generate employment opportunities, enhance healthcare services, and improve the overall standard of living of Nigerians.

His words: ‘‘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 on the line of volcanic activities in the Cameroun Republic, which collapse could result in flooding and thereby affect millions of lives and properties.

‘‘Even though the dam was meant to serve as a buffer to contain possible discharge of water from Lake Nyos, the engineering design maximized the benefits of the Kashimbila ecosystem by incorporating a 40MW hydropower station; a 60,000 cubic-metre-per-day water supply scheme; 2,000 hectares of an irrigation system, an airstrip, and surrounding grounds with suitable avenues for fishing activities and tourism potentials.”

According to the president, the 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 circuit line from Kashimbila to Takum, Wukari, Yandev, as well as a 45km, 33kv double circuits line from Wukari to Donga through Rafin Kada.

‘‘I understand that the water supply component that is intended to service Takum and 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 informed 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 endeavors 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 individuals affected by the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam Project for their cooperation, understanding, and support during the implementation of “this significant undertaking.”

The minister of water resources, Suleiman Adamu, earlier in a remark said the project had suffered many setbacks in the past 15 years but with commitment and resilience on the part of the present administration, the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam was being commissioned.

Engr. Adamu noted that the drive by the federal government towards creating wealth and reducing poverty led to the completion of the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam.

According to him, “dams play a key role in the socioeconomic development of the country and the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam project has a reservoir capacity of about 500 million cubic metres.

“The Dam is intended to provide potable water supply to Takum and Kashimbila community in Taraba State, irrigating about 2000 hectares of farmland to enhance food security, hydroelectricity generation of 40 megawatts, as well as flood control in some parts of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States up to the Niger Delta area, in case of possible collapse of Lake Nyos in the Republic of Cameroon”.

Adamu further explained that the contract was awarded in 2007 to SCC Limited with a completion period of 36 months but could not be realized due to paucity of funds and increase in scope until the Buhari-led administration came into power.

In his own words, “I am happy to inform this August gathering that the contractor has satisfactorily completed the fam and hydropower components of the project. Presently, power generated by the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam is being transmitted into the national grid.

“In addition, work is progressing well on the water supply component at about 65% completion and the irrigation component will commence in due course. The Airstrip which is another important component of the project is currently receiving an upgrade, courtesy of retired General T.Y Danjuma.”

The director of dams and reservoir operations, Ali Dallah, explained that when the present administration came into office in year 2015, the project was prioritized as one of the viable projects for special funding. This, he said, was supported by unprecedented commitment to the completion of the dam and hydropower components.

According to him , presently, the 40 megawatts being generated by the dam is partially transmitted to the national grid. Furthermore, Dallah said, work is also progressing on the water supply and irrigation components.

The minister of state for power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, expressed delight that the power sector was receiving a boost and assured Nigerians that sustainable efforts would be made to improve power supply across the country.

Jedy-Agba appreciated the level of work done by the federal ministry of water resources on the dam, particularly the power generation component  He also assured that maximum benefits would be derived from the project.

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Mohammed Bello, unveiled the project on behalf of President Buhari.

On his part, the Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku who was represented by his commissioner for power, Lawal Ibrahim, commended the contractors for the excellent job and requested that electricity lines be extended to towns and villages in the central and northern parts of the Taraba in order to stimulate economic activities.

Governor Ishaku further urged the people of the surrounding environment to protect the asset and contractors on the site.