As controversy continues to trail the Mambilla Power Project, President Bola Tinubu has been advised to, as a matter of urgency, put in place measures to ensure amicable resolutions of all the issues stalling the all-important project, especially considering the current state of power generation in the country.
Experts who weighed in on the legal tussle over the project said a quick resolution of all the outstanding issues on the project will not only raise the hope of a possible relief in a sector that has been consistently fingered for the setback in the economy but will also boost the confidence of foreign investors.
The Mambilla power station which is located in Kagara village, in Taraba State, close to the border with Cameroon, sits across the Donga River and consists of four dams and two underground powerhouses.
Construction of this power station is expected to generate 50,000 temporary and permanent jobs
Addressing journalists on the issue in Bauchi, the President of the Bauchi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture ( BACCIMA), Hon Aminu Muhammad Dan Malikin Bauchi expressed concern in the stalemate in the construction of Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba state, saying if this project is in the southern part of the country, President Bola Ahmad Tinubu would have since cleared the socalled “legal” issue in it’s execution.
Dan Malikin Bauchi recalled that the Export-Import of Bank of China had pledged significant financing for the project, but the release of funds is contingent upon resolving the ongoing legal disputes.
Muhammad, who holds the traditional title of Dan-malikin Bauchi explained that the project has been stalled due to a prolonged “legal dispute” between the Federal Government, and Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
This dispute has led to international arbitration proceedings in Paris, with Sunrise seeking damages over contract breaches and the government’s failure to honor a 2020 settlement agreement”, Chamber President frowned.
Dan-maliki also recalled that the Nigerian Senate had expressed worrisome over the project’s abandonment and even called for its integration into President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, when the legislative prayer fall on deep ears.
According to him, the Senate emphasized the project’s potential to generate 3,050 MW of electricity and create over 50,000 jobs, and urged for collaboration among relevant ministries to revive the initiative. Despite these efforts, the project remains inactive.
The Nigerian Senate equally expressed concern over the project’s abandonment and urged for its integration into President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and emphasized the project’s potential to generate 3,050 MW of electricity and create over 50,000 jobs.
The Dan-malikin Bauchi therefore called for collaboration among relevant ministries to revive the initiative, saying however that despite these efforts, the Hydroelectric project remains inactive.
Danmaliki continue, explaining that the survival of the North is not just a regional issue, it is a national imperative, adding, “We are not here to beg; we are here to build. But we need support, inclusion and partnership.”
He reaffirmed the Chamber's commitment to mobilising investors, advocating for policy reforms, and fostering regional cooperation to secure the North’s economic future, the cooperation of governors, national and states legislatures, traditional rulers, business community, academicians and all stakeholders are hereby requested to join hand in championing these new agenda.
Muhammad said, “We must again raise the issue of the oil discovery in the North, particularly in Kolmani and other basins.
The discovery commissioned under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in Bauchi, brought hope for energy and economic transformation. Yet, to our dismay, the current administration has not made any visible effort to commence the lifting of the discovered oil in Bauchi and its environs. Why is the oil in the North being ignored? We demand full accountability and immediate steps.”
The chamber also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure an equitable expansion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure including refueling stations, conversion centers, training hubs, and support services across Northern Nigeria to ensure national inclusivity, energy transition fairness and economic development.
Danmaliki explained that CNG is part of Nigeria’s broader energy transition plan, aimed at reducing dependency on petrol and diesel by promoting cleaner, more affordable fuels.
“This laudable programme is only concentrated in Southern Nigeria. The North stands to lose out in several ways,” he said.
Danmaliki noted that the North has significant potential in transport (especially haulage), agriculture needing cold-chain logistics, and youth employment.
He said, “CNG could support all of these, but not without its infrastructure. Bottom line: Yes, the North is missing out, economically, socially, and strategically if the CNG initiative is not established in the region.
“It’s essential for stakeholders in the North chambers of commerce, state governments, transport unions to push for inclusion and possibly even propose public-private partnerships to build local capacity around CNG.
