The Federal Government yesterday approved the contract of the Mambilla hydro power plant at a cost of $5.792 billion.
The project consists of engineering and electro-mechanical works and on completion will produce 3,050 megawatts of electricity, nearly half of the current total national output.
“Nigeria started talking about it (project) since 1972; that is about 45 years ago,” Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, told State House reporters shortly after the federal cabinet approved the contract yesterday.
“Several efforts had been made to bring it to reality but I’m happy to announce that this government approved the contract today to joint ventures of Chinese Civil and Engineering Company for the engineering and turn-key contract, including civil and electro-mechanical works for 5.792 billion dollars. The construction should take about 72 months (6 years).