By Faridat Salifu
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on authorities to prioritise the full completion of the Kashimbila Hydroelectric Dam in Taraba State, stressing its strategic importance to electricity supply and regional development.
Speaking in Jalingo on Wednesday at the maiden edition of the Taravest Investment Summit, the Sultan said the long-delayed project must now be completed without further delay to meet its intended purpose of generating electricity for Taraba and the North-East.
“If the dam were fully operational today, many of the electricity challenges in this region would have been addressed. We cannot continue to postpone its completion,” he said, urging government stakeholders to intensify efforts.
The Kashimbila Dam, located on the Katsina-Ala River, is designed for multiple uses including hydroelectric power generation, flood mitigation, irrigation, and water supply.
With a planned capacity of 40 megawatts, it also aims to serve as a buffer against possible flooding from a potential collapse of Lake Nyos in neighbouring Cameroon.
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Turning to the state’s security situation, the Sultan commended Governor Agbu Kefas for what he described as visible improvements in public safety, which he said has enhanced investor confidence.
“Security is a non-negotiable condition for development. Without it, no investor will come. What we are seeing now in Taraba is a positive shift. People can come in and do business peacefully,” the monarch said.
He assured the state government of continued support from traditional rulers, noting that they remain partners in promoting peace and development.
The Taravest Summit, themed “Unlocking Taraba’s Investment Potentials – Advancing Agriculture, Energy, Mining and Industrialisation (AEMI) for Sustainable Growth and Development,” attracted a range of stakeholders from across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
Among those in attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, businessman Tony Elumelu, the Ooni of Ife, and Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama.
The event aimed at showcasing Taraba’s investment potential, particularly in agriculture, clean energy, and mining, as the state positions itself as a key player in Nigeria’s economic diversification drive.
