Mambilla Hydro Electric
Mambilla Hydro Electric Power Project for Completion
Soon- minister
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to the
actualization of the Mambilla Power project which was conceived
more than forty years ago.
Speaking during a visit to the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, the
Minister of Power Engr. Sale Mamman and his Water Resources
counterpart, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu described the Mambilla project
as one of the legacy projects of President Muhammadu Buhari, which
must be executed during his current tenure.
Accompanied by the Minister of State, Power, Jedi Goddy – Agba
OFR, the Ministers requested the Embassy to impress on the China
EXIMBANK to expedite action on the release of the project loan for
the commencement of work.
The Minister of Water Resources said the environmental impact
assessment exercise on the project was being carried out while a
memorandum of understanding has been signed with the Taraba State
government for the payment of compensation to owners of land at the
project site.
On the release of an interim fund of two hundred million dollars
by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, Suleiman Adamu assured
that the Ministry of Justice was already working on a comfort
letter to the China EXIMBBANK as part of the Federal Government’s
commitment.
Adamu also assured that although arbitration was still ongoing
with a previous investor on the project, the government was ready
to indemnify any funds agreed after the arbitration without
affecting the loan agreement with EXIM Bank.
Weighing into the discussion, the Minister of Power, Engr. Sale
Mamman assured the Ambassador that the Chinese government had
nothing to fear as the Federal Government was working to remove any
impediment which could pose any threat to the delivery of the
project.
Mamman insisted that the Chinese government had enough influence
to impress on EXIM Bank to hasten the process as the project could
not be frustrated by any arbitration.
In his response, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou
Pingjian assured that his country does not encourage white elephant
projects.
He advised the Ministers to encourage the direct participation
of the Chinese government or companies in some of its projects so
as to reduce much borrowing and facilitate easier execution of
projects.
He said the EXIMBANK was already investing over $2.6 billion in
various projects in Nigeria, including the Abuja greater water
project, airport expansion and the Abuja-Lafiya-Makurdi highway
project.
He assured that although the Chinese government would not push
the EXIMBANK, it would try its best to impress on the bank to meet
its commitments.
Aaron Artimas
SA, Media and Communication to HM, Power