About 45 years after the Federal Government conceived the idea of Mambilla hydro power plant, Nigerians are grumbling in disappointment that the $5.7 billion 3,050 Mega Watts electricity project which has gulped several billions of naira was still at its teething stage.
The initiative, which was first mooted in 1972, was aimed at increasing the country’s power generation to boost industralisation, especially in the northern part of the country.
However , since 1972, successive governments have made budgetary provisions for the take-off of the project without wheeling out a single mega watt of electricity generation.
It could be recalled that Babatunde Fashola mentioning the project of Mambilla HydroPower Plant will soon be completed. But, recently the newly sworn-in minister of Power has said that even the site clearance is not yet started. who is playing who?
I am before thinking that Fashola is among that educational politicians with verse of experience in administrative as well as leadership that if opportunity is given to them, they will bring development regardless of any differences. But, that senario has make me think otherwise.
The reader is aware that The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on Friday announced the discovery of hydrocarbon deposits in the Kolmani River II Well on the Upper Benue Trough, Gongola Basin, in the North-Eastern part of the country.
Recall that drilling of the Kolmani River II Well was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on February 2, 2019.
But, What we want to notice is that now the oil is discovered and one well is ready to drill. But, do we know that before exploring we need one of the two either; closed refinery to the which is Kaduna refinery if working or Pipeline system to Lagos.
I would like the reader to estimate how many years should project of pipeline transport from Gombe to Lagos takes? Let He assumed 4years.
It’s commendable to President Muhammadu Buhari for checking and balance his project and Continuing with many projects from previous administration such as; 2nd Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kaduna railway, Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, among others.
If we can study the problem of our country and what makes foreign investors afraid of investing in Nigeria is lack of continuity after change in Government.
As a young person, I start doubting if someone from other geo-political region will not abandon this project of oil drilling at Gombe/Bauchi.
We the people of northeast has to start thinking of what is the way out. We should not forget to refer to the previous transition from 1999 to 2015 same party without continuity.
*Khalid Kumo writes from Gombe*
