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)