Nigeria is moving on with the 3050 megawatts (MW) capacity Mambilla hydro power project expected to cost her $5.72 billion because it is devoted to increasing its renewable energy footprints, and reducing its carbon emission in line with the Paris climate change pact, the country’s minister of power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has disclosed.

Fashola, stated in an interview with television network, the Arise News in Abuja, that the project which would become the biggest hydro power project in the country and perhaps Africa, would squarely underpin the country’s resolve to go with the world in tackling climate change.

He noted that it would also cut Nigeria’s huge dependency on gas for power supply – more than 80 per cent of the country’s electricity comes from gas power situated down south. Fashola, however noted that this scenario could change when the hydro plan is completed.

“The Mambilla is a 3050MW capacity hydro power dam which speaks very eloquently to our commitment to renewable energy, to our commitment to the Paris climate change agreement, and also to a diversity of our power resource so that we are not over-dependent on one source of power,” said Fashola.

The government recently signaled its readiness to start the project which is situated in Taraba State, using an import-export financing mechanism with the Chinese.

While the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved its construction, Fashola said the Office of the Attorney General was putting finishing touches to the contract agreements preparatory for a final approval by the FEC.