FG to Inaugurate Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam Next Year
The Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, has revealed plans by President Goodluck Jonathan to inaugurate the 40 megawatts Kashimbila multipurpose dam in February 2015.
The minister disclosed this when she inspected the Taraba state dam with the ministers of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo; Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke; and State for Power, Muhammed Wakil.
Ochekpe said that the dam was designed as a relief to the supply of poisonous gas and water that Nigeria risks if the Lake Nyos in Cameroon breaks down.
According to her, the dam presently generates 40MW of hydro power, 2,000 hectares of land for irrigation, tourism potentials, aviation and transport opportunities, and would provide 60,000 cubic meters of water daily for 400,000 people.
She said: “We are here at Kashimbila with three of my colleagues and we are happy with the level of work we see. As of 2010 the level of completion of this project was just 10 per cent but now you can see that the project is executed to its final stage.
“The President has been driving this project and we are happy that today the project is 95 per cent completed. We have already set in motion the process that will lead to the commissioning of the project in early February 2015.
“We want to maximise every opportunity that is available here. Next time we will come with our colleague from agriculture because of the irrigation component. Staple processing zone will be set up around this neighbourhood and this will not only open up the rural areas but will provide opportunities for further improvement in agriculture.”