As events unfold in the renewed hope government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is clear that he is a dogged fighter who takes firm decisive decisions no matter whose ox is gored. The Mambilla hydro project however has a funny twist on the nation’s development.
The core issue is funding, expertise and execution. With very challenging economic times, external funding can be most useful especially for a critical project of this magnitude and its economic benefits to this great nation.
The Chinese are ready to provide funding and expertise to the tune of $4.5 billion but have given a condition that the Nigerian government settles the local content pioneer of the project, Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL).
While a settlement was reached on the directive of former President Muhammadu Buhari, initiated by the late chief of staff Alhaji Aba Kyari, the ministers of justice and power went into a legally binding settlement with Sunrise and its chairperson Mr. Leno Adesanya.
Unfortunately, the federal government failed to fulfill the terms of the agreement as a result of no funds as directed in a memo from the then president to his minister of justice.
Till date, chairman of Sunrise has reached a second resolution to either get settled directly by the federal government or have the statutory 15% contribution by FGN made to the Chinese to enable them settle sunrise directly and move on with the project execution.
Unfortunately, some elements in the justice ministry have taken it upon themselves with a foreign legal firm, White & Case, to charge FGN hourly in dollars to fight Sunrise with the sole aim of discrediting the company and indicting its chairman for perceived inducement of government officials.
The focus for President Tinubu on the project is: Would the Chinese, who are coming to fund the project, overlook Sunrise Power Company whom they have given condition for settlement? The answer is no. It then becomes incumbent that Tinubu ensures the nation’s development comes first and enforces an immediate settlement out of court with FGN & Sunrise (SPTCL).
This viable project guarantees 50,000 jobs, economic spillover and long term renewable energy for the North-east region and the country at large.
Ibrahim Mustapha,
Pambegua, Kaduna state
08169056963.
