Federal Executive Council, on Wednesday approved a contract of N31.2 billion for the construction of a 40 megawatts electricity project as part of the Kashim Billa Dam in Taraba State.
The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku who stated this while briefing Stare House correspondents said reiterated FG’s commitment to early completion of the 15 erosion control projects in the south eastern part of Nigeria.
Maku who briefed in the company of the Minister of State Power, Mohammed Wakil and Director General of the Bureau for Public Procurement, BPP, Engineer Emeka Eze, disclosed that the meeting was dedicated mainly to the review of the reports on erosion projects currently going on in the South East states of Nigeria, amongst other.
He noted that following the importance attached to the project by President Jonathan, the meeting reviewed the progress made so far on the erosion project and resolved to ensure early conclusion of all the projects
“We devoted a substantial part of today’s Council meeting to review of report of the erosion control project in the south eastern part of Nigeria.
“As you are all aware, Mr. President, on assumption of power, promised prompt intervention in resolving some of the key erosion problems in the south east which is known throughout this country to be the most affected when it comes to erosion.
“Several communities in the south east have always been affected and Mr President had promised to handle some of these projects in order to bring relief and stop the deterioration of the environment and the destruction of their means of livelihood.
“The President had since 2011 awarded contracts for several erosion projects in the south east for erosion control as part of measures to fulfill his promise to the people
“Members of the Presidential Committee on Erosion and Flood Control who visited the various communities had noted that erosion remained one of the ecological challenges affecting almost all the states in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria, with some as deep as 20 feet,” Maku said.
The DG BPP, Eze in his contribution noted that President Jonathan, worried over the slow pace of work, had inaugurated a committee to review all the erosion control contracts in the affected area.
“Today, the committee reported back to Council on its findings and recommendations to ensure speedy completion of the projects currently ongoing
“We were reassured that the ecological office has started the ratification of all the teething problems connected with the erosion projects.
“In the last one year, most of the projects are now doing very well and we want to make sure that environmental sustainability in the south east which is the main aim of Mr. President are achieved under the dispensation of the current administration” he said.
Maku also disclosed that Federal government approved the contract for the evacuation of the 40 megawatts hydro electricity component of the Kashim Billa multi purpose hydro dam.
He noted that the dam was designed for agriculture, water supply and electricity, is expected to provide jobs for thousands of Nigerians on completion.
The contract estimated at N31.2 billion will include the development of infrastructure for evacuating power from the dam
The project is expected to benefit well over six different states in the north east, adding that the project will be completed in 18 months.
