FG to boost power supply by 700 megawatts

The Federal Government has said that the
Zungeru Hydro Power Plant would add 700
megawatts of electricity to the national
grid when completed.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing,
Mr Babatunde Fashola, made the
disclosure in a statement issued by Mrs
Etore Thomas, Deputy Director, Press, in
the ministry.
The statement said that Fashola
represented by the Director, Energy
Resources in the Ministry, Mr Emmanuel
Ajayi, made the disclosure at the project
site in Zungeru, Niger State.
Fashola said the project, being executed
by a consortium of major Chinese
companies, was one of the biggest hydro
power projects in the country.
“It is a great and feasible feat that would
boost the provision of electricity supply
nation-wide.
“It is a good omen for the attainment of
the present administration’s thrust of
providing incremental, sustainable and
uninterrupted power supply which
Nigerians are yearning for.“
Fashola commended the efforts of
partners involved in the execution of the
project and urged the host communities to
maintain peace.
He said that government had put in place
modalities to ensure adequate
compensation and resettlement of those
affected by the project site.
The statement indicated that the Governor
of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, was
represented by the Commissioner for
Works and Transport, Abdulmalik Cheche.
“ Niger State is housing yet another power
project of 700MW; apart from the three
other power projects already sited in the
state, namely, Jebba, Kainji and Shiroro,“
he was quoted as saying.
He commended the Federal Government
for the project, noting that it had already
created over 5,000 employment
opportunities for the host communities.
Bello said that the deployment of soldiers
to the site was to protect the huge
investment made.
Mr Xiao Jun, Vice President, SinoHydro
Consortuim, one of the contracting
companies handling the project, said the
company would maintain the project in line
with the contract agreement.(NAN)