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By Nasir Kura
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) Wednesday approved the financing of the Gurara Hydro Power Project II by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at $1 billion, Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, has said.
The minister, who disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, said the project has the potential of 360 Megawatts of electricity.
“On the need to explore the potentials of the Gurara II Hydro Power Project, which has the potential of 360 Megawatts of electricity, Council approved for us to take this project to FOCAC for possible financing by the China Exim bank at the cost of about a billion dollars,” he said.
The minister said the council also approved a revised N5.7 billion for the completion of Nkari Dam in Akwa Ibom state.
“On the need to complete Nkari dam in Akwa Ibom State, we sought approval for a revised estimated total cost of the project and this was approved at about N5.7 billion,” he said.
He said the council also approved the appointment of a consultant for the supervision of Gari Irrigation Project in Kano and Jigawa States, which hitherto abandoned for 17 years.
He also said Cabinet gave approval for the Rise Estimated Total Cost for completion of Ile-Ife dam in Osun State at the cost of N10.4 billion.
“We got approval for the Rise Estimated Total Cost (RETC) for the completion of Ile-Ife dam in Osun State.
“This is a dam project that was started in 2004 and abandoned and we are looking forward to completing it.
“So, Council has approved the RETC in the sum of about N10.4 billion so we hope that with the approval, the contractor will resume on sight and work will be continued, with the hope that it will be completed in 24 months,” the minister stated.
