The Hon. Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jeddy Agba, has stated that upon completion of the Zungeru Hydropower project, over 300 highly skilled professionals will be employed.
According to a statement signed by Odutayo Oluseyi, Assistant Director of Press in the Ministry of Power, Agba made this statement on Monday, March 28th, 2022, while witnessing the Non Load Test on Unit 1 of the 700MW Zungeru Hydropower project in Niger State.
In describing the dam’s construction, Agba stated, “the dam is built of a new engineering technology utilizing the Roller-compacted Concrete (RCC) which has ensured the completion of the core civil construction period by more than 2 years while the Electro-mechanical components, particularly the 4-units Francis turbines, are from the reputable world manufacturers.”
He stated that the project’s implementation aims to further enhance the engineering and technical knowledge acquisition of Nigerian engineers in accordance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidential Order No 5, which has tremendously transformed most of the engineers on the project to world class specialists based on acquired expertise on the project.
Agba stated that the economic benefits of the project for the people of Niger State include: Water Supply Schemes for Community Use, Dry Season Farming and Irrigation, Flood Control Mechanism, Aqua-tourism opportunities, and increased economic and social well-being of the host community. He added that President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership is committed to working together with all strategic partners to achieve the core objectives across the various energy sectors.
While thanking the Chinese government for the unique cooperation and synergy that exists between China and Nigeria, which has been critical to achieving the progress so far, the Minister also thanked the Niger State governor, the good people of the State, and the community, promising that all due compensations would be paid to affected communities through the joint efforts of the Niger State government and the Federal government.
Earlier, Project Consultant Engr. Dr. Johnson Bamidele Olorunsola Adewumi, FNSE Chairman, Decrown West Africa Company Ltd., spoke. On behalf of the Decrown – Tractebel Joint Venture, the Federal Republic of Nigeria stated that upon completion of the project, the Federal Republic of Nigeria will have delivered a world-class project by all standards.
“This project will generate 2,630GWh of clean renewable electricity per year from Nigeria’s second largest dam reservoir.”
