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Senate moves to include $5.8bn Mambila Hydroelectric power project as part of Tinubu’s legacy projects
…wants 15% counterpart funding to be funded
…Senator Manu and 28 others promote motion
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Senate on Thursday resolved to urge the committees on Finance and Appropriation to include the $5.8billion Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project funding as part of the legacy projects and the 15% counterpart funding of $868,800,000 to be funded from the Renewed Hope Infrastructural Development Funds.
The lawmakers also highlighted the failure of previous governments to prioritise the national project with its capacity to generate 3050 megawatts, and reposition the Ajaokuta Steel Complex with $1.7bn.
The Senate also resolved that in reviving the project, the original idea of 3,000 megawatts capacity be maintained.
This was sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Haruna Manu, Taraba Central Senatorial District and 28 other Senators.
The motion entitled: The Urgent Need To Address The Challenges Of Commencing The Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project, Senator Manu in his submission said:
“That the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Power signed a contract with a consortium of Chinese contractors comprising CGGC, SHC, and CGOC in 2017 to construct a 3050 MW hydroelectric power project known as the Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project (MHEPP) in Taraba State at the sum of $5.792bn.
Manu explained that “the Federal Executive Council of the Buhari administration approved the said contract with an agreed JV funding structure of 85% from the Chinese consortium (CGGC-45%, SHC-35%, and CGOC-20%) and 15% from the Federal Government of Nigeria as counterpart funding for the entire project with a 72 months’ construction period and on a site area over 146sqkm in Kurmi, and Sardauna Local Government of Taraba State.
He noted that because of” the priority placed on power in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly to electricity generation for capacity expansion; the Mambila Hydroelectric Power project (MHEPP) with its capacity to generate 3050MW and reposition the Ajaokuta Steel Complex with $1.7B makes it a priority project of national importance.
“The project has great benefits for local content in the area of human capital development, including the creation of over 55,000 jobs, construction of resettlement homes for over 100,000 people, hauling and supplying of over 2.7 million tons of steel, Production and supply of over 76 million tons of quarry stone, the opportunity for Ashaka and Benue cement to produce and supply cement, and for Styer Nigeria Limited, DPAN Limited, and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Limited to manufacture trucks and participate in over 12,000 trips of haulage and transportation logistics from Lagos and Calabar ports to the host community.
“Decades of efforts towards the take-off of this national economic asset have been ongoing including that from North East governors to place the project in implementation mode; the appointment of HYPERTECH Nigeria by the Chinese consortium as the local content consultant; the creation of a presidential inter-ministerial committee comprising four relevant stakeholders (The Federal Ministry of Power.
“The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, and The Federal Ministry of Justice) in 2019 by the Buhari-led government to effectively coordinate the implementation of the project.
“A schedule of pre-commencement activities by the government on resettlement, access road, security, and airfield has been provided and 27 MDAs and over 500 companies have already been identified towards the actualization of the 15% local content counterpart funding.
“The project is to be carried out based on Presidential Executive Order 5 which has been issued to provide the platform for the framework of the local content especially as it relates to preference, accreditation, capacity development, and contract award.
He further stressed that “the volume of contradictory information about the project may hinder the actualization of the good objectives and the benefits it brings to the good people of Nigeria.
“The agreement between a Russian firm and the Republic of Niger to construct the Kainji hydroelectric project, located about 180 kilometers northwest of the capital Niamey along the Niger River, will reduce the volume of water supply to and hamper the capacity of Kainji dam to generate electricity for Nigeria.
“Also, the proactive steps taken by His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in attending and taking action at the Climate Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE) to improve Nigeria’s electricity supply through renewable energy.
News
Immigration raises alarm over high number of irregular migration in Nigeria
The Edo State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Martins Moye, has raised the alarm over the increasing number of irregular migrants entering Nigeria.
Moye raised the alarm at the 2024 Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, enlightenment campaign against irregular migration in Benin, Edo State capital.
He underscored the need for public awareness to curb irregular migration.
A facilitator from NIS headquarters in Abuja, David Amanahu, highlighted Edo State’s historical role in irregular migration.
According to him, due to recent efforts by the Edo State Command, the state has improved in the national ranking on irregular migration.
“The positive news is that Edo State is no longer ranked number one in irregular migration.
“Credit goes to the dedicated team in Edo who worked tirelessly to improve the situation,” Amanahu stated.
Amanahu, while delivering a message from the Controller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, noted that the NIS is now more focused than ever on border management and migration issues.
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Boundary disputes responsible for insecurity in coastal states – Oborevwori
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has said that boundary disputes were also responsible for the rising spate of insecurity, deaths, violence and retarded progress in the country.
The governor stated this while addressing an audience at a one-day workshop for the creation of a platform for Nigeria’s coastal states and local government areas, held at the Government House, Asaba.
The workshop has the theme, “Towards a Secure, Peaceful and Prosperous Borders,” the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
There are many crises in the country over border issues, with Delta State having its fair share.
The boundary crisis between the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and the Okoloba community in the Bomadi Local Government Area, which had claimed many lives, is being resolved by the government.
Speaking at the workshop, the governor said so many lives had been lost to boundary disputes as he called on the National Boundary Commission and other stakeholders to work assiduously in resolving such disputes in the country.
He described the theme as apt, adding that boundary dispute was an ancient and modern disease of humanity.
He said right from the colonial days, Nigeria had been plagued by boundary disputes, which had disastrous and destabilising consequences for the people.
“There is scarcely any state in Nigeria that has not been involved in a boundary dispute with its neighbours, which often results in displacement, death, and destruction.
“Reports indicate that between January 2018 and August 2022; 676 people were killed in various communal and boundary clashes in Nigeria.
“The causes of these disputes are traceable to land ownership, community pride, ancient or colonial boundaries, and socio-cultural factors.
“In Delta State, it is safe to say that at least 80 per cent of boundary disputes revolve around land use, either for farming, mining, and other purposes of economic significance.
“The resultant clashes often leave in their trail a chunk of internally displaced persons with the implication this has for their safety and wellbeing.
“As we all know, the living conditions in IDP camps are unsanitary and inevitably constitute environmental hazards,” he said.
Oborevwori charged the National Boundary Commission to work harder in resolving boundary disputes across the country.
“As the body responsible for resolving boundary disputes in Nigeria, the National Boundary Commission is critical to the peace, security, and prosperity of our communities.
“It is incumbent on it to embark on enlightenment and sensitisation programmes to educate the people on the importance of respecting boundaries.
“It must also properly investigate cases of boundary disputes. In discharging this vital responsibility, officials of the Commission must demonstrate the highest levels of objectivity, neutrality, and integrity to instil confidence and elicit the goodwill of the people.
“Conversations break down fast once there is a perception of favouritism or nepotism on the part of those who are supposed to be impartial arbiters,” he said.
He added, “It goes without saying that an effective conflict resolution mechanism is critical for maintaining national security.
“Hence, there is a need for strong political will on the part of the government to implement recommendations that will resolve disputes amicably, and prevent future border disputes.
“With enhanced peace and security at the core of our MORE agenda, we are committed to partnering with the Commission to discharge its functions effectively for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.”
In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, expressed delight that the African Union Border Governance Strategy would look into good border governance and the attainment of sustainable development.
Onyeme, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Boundary Commission, urged the African Union to sustain the tempo to ensure the harmonisation of all grey areas along the boundary communities.
He observed that the European colonisers arbitrarily, without due regard to the ethnic homogeneity of many African groups, forced Africans to belong to different nations, while diverse heterogeneous communities were hurriedly bundled into a single nation with distinct boundaries.
On their part, the deputy governors of Bayelsa and Rivers states, Lawrence Egwhrudjakpor and Prof Ngozi Odu, respectively, called on relevant authorities to discuss boundary issues often, to enthrone peace in the country.
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Boundaries Commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, said the workshop was primarily designed to engage Nigeria’s coastal states, local government areas and traditional rulers on effective border governance in Nigeria.
The NAN reports that stakeholders, including some traditional rulers from the South-West and South-South states, attended the event.
News
Obaseki embarks on post-tenure medical vacation
The immediate-past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation.
This is for him to rest and undergo a medical check-up, after a successful two-term as governor of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement by his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, on Wednesday.
The former governor completed his two-term administration on November 11, 2024, and a new governor, Monday Okpebholo, was sworn in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Osagie said, “Following the completion of his second term, a former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation to rest and undergo a medical check-up.
“Obaseki, once again, expressed his appreciation to God Almighty, the people of Edo State and Nigeria for the opportunity to serve.
“He urged all Edo people both at home and in the diaspora to continue to be hopeful and pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of our state and Nigeria.”
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