Nigeria is on the verge of closing out the contract for the construction of a 3050 megawatts (MW) hydro power project in Mambilla, Taraba State.

Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari said in a speech he made to the country on the occasion of its 56th Independence Day that works on the massive hydro power project will commence in 2016 after contract negotiations are completed.

“…the Mambilla Hydro project, after many years of delay is taking off this year. Contract negotiations are nearing completion with Chinese firms for technical and financial commitments,” said Buhari in his address.

He said the project is to be jointly financed by Nigeria and the Chinese-Export-Import Bank.

Until now, Mambilla had reportedly been quite controversial, with the controversies stalling its commencement. The project site is about 340 kilometres away from Taraba capital, Jalingo, specifically in Gembu, headquarters of Sardauna local government area.

Reports indicate that the power station will be constructed at Baruf where River Dongo cascaded from 1671 metres above sea level into the basin below, and will boost irrigation farming in Taraba.