By Israel Adamu,Jos
Plateau State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of over 300 power plants as part of efforts to open up the State for industrialization.
The Secretary to the Government of the State, Arc. Samuel Jatau signed the MOU on behalf of the Plateau state government while AVM Chollom Pam (rtd) signed on behalf of Shimankar Valley Limited, the contracting firm.
In a remark, the Secretary to the Government of the State, Arch. Samuel Jatau said the signing of the MoU marks the beginning of the industrialization of the state by the Mutfwang administration.
He said the signing of this MoU shows the seriousness in which the Plateau State government intends to drive the state into the area of industrialization. As you are aware, there is no industry without power, so we need to start from the bottom up and that’s why we are signing this MoU.
“A team of experts will be set up to interface with their team to see the details. We are happy to have this MoU signed. You can see everybody holding very heavy power banks because of the problem of power. So the key ingredient of development is power.
“If we want Plateau State to be an industrialized state, then we need power. We will work expeditiously for the actualization of this. This will also create job opportunities, and economic activities across the state,” Jatau assured citizens of Plateau State.
He charged the company to deliver on its promise while adding that the Plateau State government is ready to play its part in achieving the dream of providing power that is owned by the people of Plateau State for the development of the state and its citizens.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Shimankar Valley Limited. AVM Chollom Pam (rtd) said the project is a clean energy concept with zero negative effects on the host communities.
He said the idea of developing a hydropower plant started way back in 2013 when the company conducted a survey of the state and realized that the state has huge potential for hydropower development.
“Plateau State has potentials of well over 300 Megawatts of power which can be tapped and harnessed for the development of the State.
“Having seen the potential the State has, the company went into collaboration with a well-known global organization which specializes in hydropower. We have potential according to our survey within Pankshin, Kanke, Bokkos, and Bassa.
“As we commenced work on the Jing site, we will be working simultaneously on other sites within the state to provide the needed energy. The project duration is supposed to be 24 months. It involves building dams, a reservoir, 2.4-kilometer underground tunnel, a powerhouse, and so many structures. ”
Top Government officials who witnessed the event includes the Chief of Staff Government House, Engr. Jeremiah Satmark, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barr. Philimon Daffi and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources.
