The Chairman of the House of Representatives on Power, Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu, Monday, made a shocking revelation about the Mambilla Hydro-Power Project located in Taraba state, alleging that the project only existed on the papers.
Blueprint recalls that the Minister of Power, Engineer Saleh Mamman, two weeks ago, inaugurated the project delivery committee for the execution of the project, which was conceived over 40 years ago .
Aliyu, who spoke during the committee’s oversight visit to the Ministry of Power Headquarters, Abuja, said contrary to the general belief, there was nothing on ground to show that the project was commenced before the coming of the present administration.
He said; “I wish to sincerely thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Power for achieving this feat, there was never anything like Mambilla power project, it exists only in books and on papers before this government.”
The committee’s chairman said the approval of funds and other activities geared towards kick starting the Mambilla Power Project was an indication of government’s display of political will in providing adequate and steady power supply to Nigerians.
He said the National Assembly was inquisitive about the slow rate of implementation of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission Act, 2010 and its subsequent amendment, therefore, drew the attention of the minister to the House’s earlier resolution that HYPPADEC should commence operation by the 1st of January, 2020.
Following the resolution, he ordered HYPPADEC to relocate to Niger to commence operation.
Earlier, the Director, Renewable Energy & Rural Power Access of the power ministry, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, who presented a Right of Way report on the project, said the land for the project was just acquired, adding that; “There was no legal title to the land until now’’.
The Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman said, the HYPPADEC Act was passed into law in August 2010 and amended in July 2018.
Mamman said the objective of HYPPADEC was to bring development to the communities in the area affected by activities of hydro power plants.
He said: “In accordance with the concern and directive of the National Assembly during 2020 Budget defense for immediate take -off HYPPADEC, the ministry has appointed a Director to oversee the coordination of the take-off of the commission.
He listed inadequate budgetary provision and untimely release of budgetary funds, as some of the challenges facing the ministry.
