By Anthony Maliki, Abuja
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the long-standing Katsina 10 Megawatt Wind Farm Project, which has remained uncompleted despite its initiation during the tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
During a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman, and his team at the Government House in Katsina, Governor Radda detailed his administration’s efforts to revitalize the project.
This was contained in a statement by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State.
“When I assumed office, I visited the Katsina Wind Farm site because this project has long been a source of concern for the people of Katsina State,” the Governor stated.
“The initiative dates back to the tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua when he was governor. He pursued it further after becoming president, but unfortunately, issues such as insecurity, particularly the kidnapping incidents, have severely affected its progress. This has left our people worried.”
Governor Radda revealed that technical assessments conducted under his administration have identified significant challenges with the project’s current state.
“During my visit, we engaged engineers who assessed the project and confirmed that the windmills originally designed to generate 10 megawatts are not currently producing the expected capacity. This necessitates a hybrid system incorporating solar energy to ensure we reach the desired 10 megawatts output,” he explained.
Governor Radda
The Governor further noted that maintenance issues have drastically reduced the facility’s generation capacity, stating, “We also discovered that the project remains incomplete, and maintenance issues have further reduced its generation capacity to less than a megawatt.”
The Governor said he has taken decisive steps, including direct engagement with the Presidency.
“I personally approached Mr. President, requesting that the project be handed over to the state government. We are willing and able to complete it, rather than leaving it in limbo under federal management, which could delay completion indefinitely. I followed up with a formal letter to Mr. President about two months ago, submitting it personally,” he stated.
Similarly, the Governor accounted for his international engagements to accelerate the project’s completion, “In November, during an official trip with Mr. President, I arranged a meeting in Paris with the original project contractor, Vergnet, alongside other potential investors. We had extensive discussions on the hybrid component and the completion process,” he said.
“Just last week, at their invitation, I visited their headquarters again with engineers, where we held a 10-hour technical session to review the necessary steps for completing the project.”
Governor Radda emphasized, “Our stance is clear. We want this project completed. The Katsina State Government is ready to partner at any level necessary to see it through.”
The Governor expressed concerns about the deterioration of the infrastructure and security risks associated with further delays.
“Each day that passes without progress leads to more depreciation, higher maintenance costs, and a greater risk of vandalism. The security situation in the state makes this even more concerning, as abandoned infrastructure often becomes a target for destruction,” he warned.
Governor Radda concluded, urging the Federal Ministry of Power’s delegation to support the state’s efforts.
“I understand that bureaucratic and budgetary constraints at the federal level can slow down projects. However, the state government has readily available funds that can be deployed immediately to complete the project. This is a personal priority for me, and I am determined to see it reach completion,” he affirmed.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman, stated, “We have made significant progress in our assessment of the Katsina Wind Farm and determined that a hybrid approach represents the most viable path forward.”
“Our assessment team has identified specific challenges preventing the wind farm from reaching its full 10-megawatt capacity. To address this shortfall, we have initiated the integration of 10 megawatts of solar power, creating a complementary hybrid system that will maximize energy production at the site,” Mamman declared.
He also noted that the federal government maintains a clear policy of not operating power plants directly. Upon completion, we will concession this facility to qualified operators. We are currently evaluating whether to proceed with the concessioning immediately or wait until the solar component achieves full integration.
Pointing to the team of experts who filled the visitation, Mamman stated, “Our delegation includes critical technical expertise from key departments. The Director of Transmission will manage grid infrastructure requirements.
He said, “The Renewable Energy Access team oversees the solar hybrid implementation. The Director of Distribution provides expertise on alternative deployment strategies, including direct connection to local distribution networks that would deliver power directly to consumers and employers in the region.”
“We request your continued support as the host state to resolve outstanding issues, particularly regarding land allocation. While the capacity allocation exists on paper, the Certificate of Occupancy situation requires immediate attention. We have submitted formal correspondence on this matter and appreciate the opportunity to discuss collaborative solutions during this visit,” he pleaded.
Mamman, however, assured that the team will finalize her recommendations and implement the necessary decisions to ensure this valuable resource delivers maximum benefit to the people of Katsina State and Nigeria as a whole.”
The Governor efforts at all fronts and the recent visit by the Permanent Secretary is expected to facilitate further collaboration between Federal and State authorities to bring the Wind Farm to life.
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