Nigeria’s 3 GW Mambilla plant signals new development plan

• 10 years ago (2014-06-26)
• Junior Isles

Africa 323 Asia 898

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Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has given approval for construction of the 3050 MW Mambilla power plant in the north eastern Taraba State, according to the Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil.

The decision by the President was based on a wish to help regenerate north eastern Nigeria after recent damaging insurgent activities, by boosting power and infrastructure development in the area, said Wakil at the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja as he hosted a delegation from Power China.

In a separate statement, Wakil also stated that the President moved to approve the Mambilla project due to a firm belief that economic recovery and development in the region is the best way to engage youths otherwise inclined to join the militancy.

“The President is committed to pulling the northeast out of decades of under development which has been worsened by the insurgency in the area,” said Wakil.

“Mr. President does not want the northeast to continue to lag behind... a strategy for expanding power and other infrastructure development for the region has been adopted to boost economic life and gainfully employ the youth,” Wakil added.

Du Chunguo, vice president of Power China, also expressed his firm’s readiness to assist with the revival of the Nigerian economy and boost development in the northeast.

“We are here in Nigeria to be part of the commendable reforms in the power sector and we are identifying areas where we can come in,” Chunguo said.