Skip to main content

‘ We’re doing a thorough job on Mambilla dam’



The Taraba State Government has responded to our Special Report on the Mambilla Hydropower Dam on March 18, in which the Federal Government blamed Governor Darius Ishaku for delaying the take-off of the project.
The state government said it was doing a thorough job on the project, which should not be labelled as delay.
The Nation correspondent spent four days in Sarduana, where he visited the sites, before reporting that the project sites are still fishing grounds.
Commissioners for Information and Power Danjuma Adamu and Badina Garba, as well the Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bala Dan Abu, who briefed reporters at the prompting of the governor, said the state was taking the right steps towards making the Mambilla dam a reality.
The commissioners said the state needs some time to graduate from the present stage of surveys to another stage.
Governor Ishaku, who returned to the state capital, Jalingo, last Thursday, after 87 days of medical sojourn in Abuja, said although he received from the Federal Government the funds for settlement of surveyors, he was following “Due Process” to avoid “complaints and controversies” during or after payment.
The Nation, however, gathered that the governor only transmitted a letter to the House of Assembly notifying lawmakers about the receipt of the money (for payment of surveyors of the Mambilla Hydropower project) only last Friday.
The governor, in an interview with reporters, said: “The Mambilla Hydropower Dam will take at least eight years to be completed, if we are lucky.”
Ishaku agreed with our report that there is no road leading to the site for now, except on foot.
He explained that there were eight stages of work to be carried out on the project, of which they are only beginning the stage one.
Commissioner for Information Adamu, who read the government’s statement, in defence of the governor, said:
“A publication in The Nation of Wednesday, March 18, 2020, headlined: ‘Mambilla Hydropower Project Sites Still Fishing Grounds,’ attempted to create false impression that the project is being delayed by the Taraba State Government.
“The truth is that Governor Darius Ishaku, more than any other Nigerian, has campaigned vigorously to get the project off the drawing table where it has gathered dust for several decades.
“He (Ishaku) had consistently rallied support of all prominent Nigerians and stakeholders relevant to the project to get it started by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In our Special Report, the Federal Government also accused Ishaku of delaying or refusing to collect a cheque approved for compensation of those affected by the project. The state government denied the allegation.
It, however, agreed that the governor collected from the Federal Government about N812.5 million for “survey works.” So why has Ishaku not paid the surveyors, since he collected the money in September last year?
“We need to state here with emphasis that due diligence is a cardinal philosophy of the administration of the Taraba State Government under Governor Ishaku. That process is being applied to the planned payment of professional fees to the surveyors,” Adamu said.
He explained that “a lot of work” still needs to be done by the state and Federal Ministry of Power before getting to the stage of compensation.
“There are several milestones to be met. The governor has directed that this must be thoroughly conducted to avoid complaints and controversies now and in future. The process is still ongoing and it is, therefore, wrong to label such honest efforts of the government to do a thorough job as delay,” Adamu said.

TheNation 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taraba State University Joins ASUU Ultimatum to 21 Universities Over 2025 Agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) chapter, has joined 20 other state-owned universities placed on a 14-day ultimatum over the alleged non-implementation of key provisions of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement. The ultimatum was issued following resolutions reached at ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja, where the union expressed concern over what it described as the “haphazard implementation” of the agreement. ASUU warned that the affected universities could face industrial action if the outstanding issues are not resolved within the 14-day window. The union authorised the affected branches to begin formal processes for strike action should their respective university authorities fail to address the issues. Taraba State University, Jalingo, was specifically listed among the 21 universities affected by the directive. Other institutions on the list include Nasarawa State Universit...
Post a Comment
Read more

Truck Drivers Block Jalingo–Zing–Yola Road Following Dispute at NDLEA Checkpoint

Taraba Facts Truck drivers have reportedly blocked the Jalingo–Zing–Yola road following a disagreement with a soldier at an NDLEA checkpoint last night. The incident has disrupted movement along the major highway, leaving motorists and other road users stranded. As of Thursday morning, the road remains blocked, with the situation reportedly affecting the free movement of vehicles along the route. The circumstances surrounding the disagreement between the truck drivers and the security personnel remain unclear. Residents and road users are calling on relevant authorities to urgently intervene, investigate the incident and resolve the dispute to restore normal traffic. Authorities are also urged to ensure that the matter is properly addressed and that the safety and movement of commuters along the busy route are not further compromised.
Post a Comment
Read more

Taraba Begins ₦5,000 Deduction for Teachers’ Permanent Identity Cards

The Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB) has initiated a ₦5,000 deduction from teachers as part of arrangements for the production of Permanent Identity Cards for teachers across the state. According to UBEC, the identity cards are expected to strengthen staff records, improve security and enhance administrative efficiency in the management of teachers across Taraba State. UBEC further said the Permanent Identity Card project is also expected to assist the state government in developing an accurate and verifiable database of teachers. Such a database will provide Governor Agbu Kefas with reliable information on personnel within the basic education system and support more effective planning, monitoring and personnel management. The initiative is therefore expected to strengthen security measures, improve staff verification and provide a more efficient system for managing personnel across Taraba State’s basic education sector.
Post a Comment
Read more