The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved N46.15 billion for the augmentation of the Kashimbila Dam and Hydropower project.
Water Resources Minister Suleiman Adamu told State House reporters after the FEC meeting that the amount would be enough to complete the project which he described as a flagship for the ministry.
The minister said about N24 billion had already been spent by the contractor.
He said: “He (the contractor) has spent more money and done more work than the actual augmentation. We have received commitment from the contractor that there will be no further review and that the project will be finished within the next 12 months.”
According to Mr Adamu, “this is a project that is sited in Taraba State. It was identified by UN Agency as one of the key projects to provide a buffer against flooding along River Benue. You remember, 2012 was quite devastating.
“The project was started in 2017 and it’s been ongoing, but we have attained 90 percent completion. The dam was impounded in February. We expect the dam to reach supply level this month or June and it will be ready for commissioning,” he added.
