President Buhari Inaugurates Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam and Hydropower Station in Taraba

• President Muhammadu Buhari has officially commissioned the completed Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam in Taraba State.

• President Buhari emphasized the significance of the project, underscoring his administration’s commitment to achieving the target of 30GW of electricity in Nigeria by 2030.

• President Buhari also highlighted the significance of the Electricity Vision Initiative, which aims to achieve a minimum of 30% contribution from renewable energy sources to Nigeria’s energy mix.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that President Muhammadu Buhari officially commissioned the completed Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, along with the 40MW Hydropower Station, Associated 132KV Switchyard, Transmission Line, and Distribution Substation Phase I Project, in Taraba State on Friday.

In a virtual ceremony held at the Council Chamber in the State House, Abuja, President Buhari emphasized the significance of the project, underscoring his administration’s commitment to achieving the target of 30GW of electricity in Nigeria by 2030, in line with the Electricity Vision 30:30:30.

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Highlighting the role his government played in the realization of the Kashimbila projects, President Buhari stressed their alignment with policies aimed at poverty alleviation, employment generation, improved healthcare services, and an overall enhancement of the living standards of Nigerians.

He explained, “The Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam in Taraba State, with a storage capacity of 500 million cubic meters, was primarily conceived to counter the threat posed by the structurally weak and poisonous Lake Nyos, located along the line of volcanic activities in Cameroon. The potential collapse of Lake Nyos could result in widespread flooding, impacting millions of lives and properties.”

While the dam was designed as a buffer against potential water discharge from Lake Nyos, the engineering plans maximized the benefits of the Kashimbila ecosystem by incorporating a 40MW Hydropower Station, a water supply scheme capable of delivering 60,000 cubic meters per day, a 2,000-hectare irrigation system, an airstrip, fishing activities, and tourism potential.

President Buhari also highlighted the significance of the Electricity Vision Initiative, which aims to achieve a minimum of 30% contribution from renewable energy sources to Nigeria’s energy mix, thereby accelerating the expansion of electricity access.

The Phase I of the Power Evacuation Component of the Kashimbila project includes the 132KV Switchyard, four substations at Takum, Wukari, Rafin Kada, and Donga, as well as the rehabilitation of the existing 132KV Yandev substation. Furthermore, it involves the installation of a 245km, 132KV Double Circuits line connecting Kashimbila to Takum, Wukari, and Yandev, alongside a 45km, 33KV Double Circuits line from Wukari to Donga via Rafin Kada.

President Buhari acknowledged that progress has been made in the water supply component, which aims to serve Takum and its environs, reaching approximately 65% completion. Additionally, the engineering design for the 2,000-hectare irrigation scheme has been finalized, and physical work is expected to commence in due course.

The President also highlighted other power projects, including the 40MW Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant in Gombe State and the 700MW Zungeru Hydropower Plant in Niger State, which are ready for commissioning, further contributing to Nigeria’s efforts to enhance electricity supply.

President Buhari commended the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Federal Ministry of Power for their diligent efforts in completing the Kashimbila multipurpose project. He also expressed gratitude to the host communities and individuals affected by the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam Project for their cooperation, understanding, and support.

During the event, Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu, highlighted the multifaceted benefits of the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, including potable water supply to Takum and Kashimbila communities, irrigation of approximately 2,000 hectares of farmland to bolster food security, hydroelectricity generation of 40 megawatts, and flood control measures to protect parts of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, and the Niger Delta region in the event of a Lake Nyos collapse in Cameroon.

Engr Ali Dallah, the Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, acknowledged the perseverance of the Buhari-led administration, which prioritized the project since 2015 and ensured its completion through special funding and unwavering commitment.

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The commissioning of the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam and Hydropower Station marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of electricity expansion and socioeconomic development, providing opportunities for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and enhanced resilience against potential natural disasters.

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