Gombe State Government and MABON Limited have renewed their commitment to expanding the Dadinkowa Hydropower Project in a bid to boost electricity supply to the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park and drive industrialisation across the state.
At a high-level meeting held at the office of the Deputy Governor, top government officials received the Chief Executive Officer of MABON Limited, Engr. Richard Madubunyi, along with the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Alhaji Umar Shehu Hashidu, and representatives from Power China, the operations and maintenance partners of the plant.
The discussions centred on scaling up energy supply to meet the growing demands of the industrial park and broader economic development, including hybrid integration with solar energy.
MABON Limited, the concessionaire of the Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant since 2005, has already generated 650 megawatts and is targeting an additional 200 megawatts to improve power supply in the region.
Speaking during the meeting, the Deputy Governor acknowledged MABON’s contribution to energy stability in the North-East and emphasised the urgent need for power expansion to activate the full potential of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park.
He disclosed that the state had invested over ₦22 billion in infrastructure development, including roads and water systems at the park, but noted that limited power supply remained the greatest constraint.
“Out of the 1,000 hectares earmarked for the industrial park, only a third has been developed due to power and federal allocation limitations. MABON’s renewed interest in expansion is timely and welcomed. We have enough land within the 26,000-hectare zone to support this,” he said.
The Deputy Governor further appealed to MABON Limited to assist the state in tackling water supply challenges, particularly in Gombe metropolis, where the cost of pumping and outdated tanker systems pose risks to public health.
In their remarks, the Commissioner for Energy and Solid Minerals Development, Alhaji Sanusi Ahmed Pindiga, and the Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Tourism, Alhaji Nasiru Aliyu Mohammed (mni), along with the Interim Chairman of the Industrial Park, Alhaji Nuhu Bashir, and the Managing Director of GROCOL, Abdulkadir Usman, all underscored the importance of reliable power to attract investors and create jobs.
In response, Engr. Madubunyi and Alhaji Hashidu reaffirmed MABON’s commitment to Gombe’s energy and economic goals. They also requested land to install solar infrastructure that would complement the existing hydroelectric capacity.
“This partnership will not only enhance the power landscape of Gombe but also unlock vast investment opportunities, generate employment, and strengthen the state’s industrial base,” Madubunyi said.
