Niger Government Lauds Buhari's Completion Of Zungeru Power Project

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the completion of the 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project in Niger.

Bello made the commendation when he joined the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswam on a fact-finding visit to the facility at Zungeru on Friday.

He explained that the hydroelectric dam project being the fourth in the state would benefit the surrounding communities and ensure access to more electricity to the people of the state and beyond.

“We will have more access to electricity, the project will provide great opportunities even for the communities around as they will benefit from training, job opportunities and more”, he said.

The governor added that the state government would do everything possible to secure the project.

He said that the project had reached 99 per cent completion and was ready for commissioning.

“We have been engaging the traditional title holders to serve as intermediaries between the government and the communities.

“As we move on, I believe more opportunities will come like some forms of Irrigation, the commencement of commercial activities they are all to the benefit of the communities”, he said.

In his remarks, Aliyu also applauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration for sustaining and completing the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project, which he said its type was last constructed in 1960.

“Kudos to this government, kudos to President Muhammadu Buhari for sustaining the construction and completion of this project.

“Adding 700MW to the national grid is a huge success.The last time a big dam like this was constructed was in 1960”

He said that the work had been completed and all necessary measures were being put in place at the National Council of Privitasation to tidy up the concession deal with Mainstream Energy, the preferred bidder.

The Zungeru Power Dam located on River Kaduna is the first dam to be constructed using Roller Compacted Concrete technology.

NAN