-
Cross River State set to construct Hydro Power Plant at Obudu Resort.
- The plant is expected to cost ₦8.2 billion.
- Cross River State has adopted an electrification policy that focuses on the development of Small Hydro Power.
Cross River State governor, Sen. Ben Ayade has integrated the ₦8.2 billion hydropower project sited at the Obudu Ranch Resort. The hydropower plant will provide electricity for the state and neighbouring states. The governor expressed dismay at the inability of the country to utilise its huge water resources to develop an adequate power supply. He also expressed the desire that Nigerian engineers acquire the skill necessary to complete this project and construct further hydropower plants in the country.
Also, at the event, Dr. Inyang Asibong, the Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, noted a need for the state to seek other alternative sources of electricity generation as the grid supply is inadequate. He united that the State has huge wind, hydro, and solar potentials. The Commissioner noted that Cross River State has huge potentials for developing small hydropower plants, including at the Obudu Ranch Resort, Agbokim Waterfalls, Kwa Falls. She added that although the state’s industrial policy has been to develop hydro sites to provide sustainable energy, successive implementation efforts have not been successful. The United Nations Industrial Organisation, UNIDO Representative, Mr. Jean Bakole stated that there are currently four small hydro sites in the country, Gombe, Cross River, Ekiti, and Enugu. These sites will generate 3.5MW at the cost of $60 million. The sites are set to be completed in the coming years, he added.