Buhari launches Kashimbila multipurpose dam as Nigeria targets 30gw electricity by 2030

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, 40MW Hydropower Station and Associated 132KV Switchyard, Transmission Line and Distribution Substation (Phase I) Project, located at the Kashimbila Dam site in Taraba State.

Speaking at a virtual ceremony held at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja, the President underscored the importance of the project, highlighting its role in his administration’s commitment to achieving the target of 30GW of electricity in the country by 2030, under the Electricity Vision 30:30:30.

President Buhari, while inviting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, to unveil the project on his behalf, noted that the Electricity Vision initiative aims to have renewable energy contribute at least 30% to the energy mix, thereby expediting the expansion of electricity access. Furthermore, the President said the implementation and completion of the Kashimbila projects align with his government’s policies to alleviate poverty, generate employment opportunities, enhance healthcare services, and improve the overall standard of living of Nigerians.

‘‘The Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam in Taraba State, with storage capacity of 500million cubic metres, was conceived principally to checkmate the threat of the imminent collapse of the structurally weak and poisonous Lake Nyos, located at the line of volcanic activities in Cameroun Republic, which collapse could result in flooding and affecting millions of lives and properties.

‘‘Even though the Dam was meant to serve as a buffer to contain possible discharge of water of Lake Nyos, the engineering design maximized the benefits of the Kashimbila ecosystem by incorporating a 40MW Hydropower Station, 60,000 cubic metre per day Water Supply Scheme, 2,000 hectares of Irrigation System, an airstrip, fishing activities and tourism potentials,’’ he said.

According to the President, the Phase I of the Power Evacuation Component of the Project includes the 132KV Switchyard, four substations at Takum, Wukari, Rafin Kada, Donga, and the rehabilitation of the existing 132KV Yandev substation.

It also involves the installation of a 245km, 132KV Double Circuits line from Kashimbila to Takum, Wukari, Yandev, as well as a 45km, 33kv Double Circuits line from Wukari to Donga through Rafin Kada, he added.

‘‘I understand that the Water Supply component that is intended to service Takum and environs has reached about 65% progress, while the engineering design for the 2000 Hectare Irrigation Scheme has been fully completed, and physical works will commence in due course,’’ he said.

The President assured Nigerians that other projects aimed at boosting electricity supply, such as the 40MW Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant in Gombe State and the 700MW Zungeru Hydropower Plant in Niger State, are also ready for commissioning.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Federal Ministry of Power for their efforts in delivering the Kashimbila Project, expressing his anticipation for increased collaboration among various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in infrastructure development.

The President also praised the host communities and the individuals affected by the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam Project for their cooperation, understanding, and support during the implementation of this significant undertaking.

Nigerian Brewery plc Coorporative appears manager, Kabiru Kasim,(Left)Presenting a 14 Seater bus key to the Council Chairman, Asma’u Halilu,-(Centre) and Council Financial Secratary, Noah Ebije,- during the Brewery plc Company Presenting a republished 14 Seater bus to Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) kaduna Chapter at the Council Secretariat on thursday 18/5/23 18/5/2023 Ibrahim

Bashir NAN

Mega millions Naija: Gaming firm deploys renewed technology to secure winners’ claims

International Gaming and Entertainment Limited (IGE), promoters of “Mega Millions Naija”, says it is deploying more technology and meticulous record keeping to protect winners’ claims.

The Managing Director of IGR, Mr Okwy Okeke, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IGE is licensed by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to operate a national lottery promotional scheme, “Mega Millions Naija.”

According to Okeke, the deployment of more technologies are additional measures to safeguard wins in case players lose their tickets.

“Our commitment to deploying technology to protect players from losing their winnings to store clerks, agents, or other forms of theft is second to none.

“We are doing more to sustain the security of our platform, If players in Nigeria lose their physical ticket, they can rely on the platform’s secure record-keeping system, which retains a digital copy of all tickets purchased.”

Okeke said the technology had inbuilt features of eliminating the possibility of losing out on winnings due to misplaced or stolen tickets.

He said in the event of loosing tickets, players could readily access their records and pursue their claims accordingly.

“This is complemented by electronic transmission of each ticket’s numbers to the email account or phone number of each player.

“For this reason, the company verifies all email accounts and phone numbers for the purposes of protecting customers’ winnings by employing these proactive measures.”

He assured subscribers that their participation in the lottery was not only convenient but also safeguarded against potentially fraudulent activities.

Okeke said that mega millions naija was committed to transparency and security, hence created a trustworthy environment for lottery enthusiasts to enjoy their gaming experience while having the assurance that their claims were protected.

“The measures follow an incident where a 23-year-old liquour store clerk, Carly Nunes, was indicted on charges related to an alleged scheme to steal a $3 million winning Mega Millions ticket in Lakeville, Massachusetts, USA.

“At Savas Liquours, where Nunes served as a checkout counter clerk, a customer dropped his purchased lottery tickets, including the winning Mega Millions ticket, while leaving the store with his bag of chips.

” Nunes, with a co-worker, tried to cash the ticket,” he said.

To avoid such incidents in Nigeria, Okeke said mega millions naija lotteries, set up a platform where all players could secure their tickets via digital means.

He said the lottery prioritised player convenience, protection and also gave Nigerians the opportunity to access over 20 international lotteries across the world, such as the US Powerball, Eurojackpot, US MegaMIllions, EuroMillions, SuperEnalotto, and UK Lotto. (NAN)

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja advised the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom, Richard Hugh Montgomery, to always uphold the noble standards of diplomacy, like his predecessors, by respecting the traditional institutions in Nigeria.

The President, who received Letters of Credence from the United Kingdom High Commissioner, and his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, Velupillai Kananathan, noted that relations with both countries will be further consolidated, with their consideration for local culture, traditional rulers, and institutions.

“I like the way our traditional rulers and institutions are being respected, in spite of the changing times, education, and rising materialism.

“There is a lot to learn from our culture, and the traditional