The Federal Government (FG) has officially commissioned a 40 megawatts hydro-power plant at Dadin Kowa dam in Gombe State, marking a significant milestone in power generation and supply in the region. The commissioning ceremony, led by the Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, alongside Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya and the Managing Director of Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA), Abubakar Halilu Mu’azu, took place on Friday.
During the event, Abubakar Halilu Mu’azu, the Managing Director of UBRBDA, highlighted the project’s objective of harnessing the electric potential of the dam to enhance power supply to the state and its surrounding communities. The Dadin Kowa dam, with its reservoir capacity of 2.8 billion cubic meters, not only provides water supply but also has the capacity to irrigate over 30,000 hectares of farmland and generate power.
The 40 megawatts hydro-power plant, which has been successfully connected to the national grid, will significantly contribute to addressing the power needs of the state and the country as a whole. Minister Suleiman Adamu emphasized that this project aligns with the present administration’s commitment to fully exploit the dam’s potentials for the benefit of the nation.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed his appreciation for the project, recognizing the dam’s crucial role in the livelihood and economy of farming and fishing communities. He also highlighted the dam’s contribution to food security and energy independence, particularly for the northeastern subregion, which currently has limited power plants, including the Dadin Kowa hydro-power plant.
Furthermore, Governor Yahaya revealed the establishment of a mega industrial park called the ‘Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park’ near the dam, aiming to attract investors by providing access to water and power resources. This strategic initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting industrial growth and economic development in the state.
The commissioning of the 40 megawatts hydro-power project at Dadin Kowa dam marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s power sector. With the successful integration of this project into the national grid, the country moves closer to meeting its power generation and supply goals, ensuring a more sustainable and reliable energy future for Gombe State and the entire nation.