32 years after the Mambilla Hydro power project was conceived, successive governments have continued to neglect it and the huge potential for the people to benefit from.
TVC News Group Head, News & Current Affairs, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju visited the picturesque project site in Sardauna local government area of Taraba state and says, It has been more than 30 years of waiting for what could easily become the biggest power project in Nigeria to kick off.
The Mambila Hydro power project is estimated to cost the nation 2.09 trillion naira,that is about 5.8 billion U.S dollars.
Situated in the heart of Mambilla, Nigeria’s paragon of undefeated beauty in Sardauna local government of Taraba state, getting to the project site is a big challenge that tasks one’s body and soul.
It begins with a 6-hour trip from Jalingo, the Taraba state capital to Kakara, the famous home of Highland Tea and a 15 minute ride on multiterrain vehicles to Do Ahmadu.
The villagers who were attracted to the project site by an unusual motorcycle convoy, urged the federal government to quickly kick off the project.
The caretaker chairman of Sardauna local government wants the Buhari administration to ensure the project kicks off without further delay.
Speaking on alternative sources of energy generation, Governor Ishaku, a former power minister, described hydro power as the best for Nigeria.
Should the federal government move to site and eventually complete the Mambila hydro power plant, it has the potential of boosting power supply and economic fortunes of Taraba state in particular and Nigeria in general.
Given the erratic nature of electricity supply in the country, many Nigerians expect the government to treat the Mambila hydro project with utmost urgency.