Melvin Onwubuke
The Federal Government from concessions and development of eight brown and green field projects, is expecting 1,268 megawatts of power, constructed through public-private partnership.
The power projects have already been given to concessionaires, while the Federal Executive Council has also approved the concession of another power project as The Punch reported.
It was reported, from documents received on Fri in Abuja, from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, that three hydropower projects had been completed while five others were at different stages of completion.
Nigeria’s population of over 200 million, has been struggling from epileptic power generation and supply; 3000mw to 4000mw generated.
The situation got worse in January, after the suppliers of gas to thermal plants stopped the supply, citing $1.3bn debt of the electricity generating plants.
The federal government, in order to stem the tides, has been investing in hydropower development through PPP in the latest Presentation of the ministry.
The documents was presented to the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation, at its 30th regular meeting by the Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev.
He said “We have conclusively concessioned some projects while still developing others through various PPP models itemised as follows: concession of the 40MW Dadinkowa Hydropower Project in Gombe State. We have attained financial closure and the plant is operational, thereby, stabilising the transmission voltage of the North-East of Nigeria.
“Concession of the 30MW Gurara Hydropower Plant in Kaduna State up to financial closure and the plant, which is under rehabilitation will commence commercial operation in the third quarter of the year 2024.”
“Concession of the 40MW Kashimbila Hydropower Plant in Taraba State. The Federal Executive Council approval has been secured, the concession agreement executed and the commencement fee paid by the concessionaire to the special concession account as approved by the Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning,” he added.
Hopefully, there will be improvement in power supply, at the completion and utilization of these hydropower plants.
