Nigerian President Obasanjo unveils the ground breaking ceremony of Mambilla Hydro Power Project

Updated: 2007-04-25

On April 12, 2007, the Gembu town in Taraba State of Nigeria jubilanted like the weahter. Royal foundation stone laying ceremony of the largest hydropower project in Nigeria - Mambilla hydropower project of 2600MW was held at the site.

Obasanjo, the president of Nigeria raised the curtain for the project. Wu Hanming, president assitant of CGGC, leaders of CGC Overseas Construction Co.(CGCOC), officials of Water Resources Ministry, Energy Ministry, and Government of the Taraba State, etc. attended the ceremony.

Pic.1 President Obasanjo attended the foundation stone laying ceremony

The Mambilla hydro-power project is located at Taraba State, southeast of Nigeria, near the boundary of Cameroon. The project is built for inter-basin diversion and power generation. eight turbo-generators with a total installed capacity of 2600MW, ranked as the largest hydro-power project in Nigeria, also the largest overseas hydro-power project undertaken by Chinese contractors. The project divides into four contrats, the first contract of Civil Works and Metal Structures has been awarded to the Jointventure of CGGC and CGCOC, mainly including 2 RCC dams and saddle dams, one concrete face rock-fill dam and saddle dam, one regualtion weir, three intake tunnels, one switch yard, access road, underground power-house and tailrace system, etc.

Pic. 2 President Obasanjo raise the curtain for the project

President Obasanjo made a passionate speech on the ceremony, gave a briefing of CGGC and CGCOC, expressed graditudes to the Export-Import Bank of China for the loan, raised the curtain for the project. Chief executive of the Taraba State pointed that the construction of Mambilla hydro-power project will create an active influence on local economic development, he expressed he will offer strong support for the construction. The holding of the ceremony formally marked the commencement of Mambilla hydro-power project.

Pic.3 Wu Hanming, Officials of Ministry of Energy in Nigeria and the Employer

Before attending the ceremony, Wu Hanming visited the Embassy of PRC in Nigeria and reported the briefing of Mambilla hydro-power project to Xu Jianguo, the ambassador and Huang Jie, the counsellor of the Economic & Commercial Counsellor’s Office, on behalf of Yang Jixue, the president of CGGC to express heartful gratitudes for their support.