Niger Gov Lauds Buhari On Zungeru Dam, Says Ready Soon

Niger State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the completion of the 700MW Zungeru hydroelectric power project in Niger State.

The governor gave the commendation when he joined the minister of power, Eng. Abubakar Aliyu and chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswam, on a fact-finding visit to the facility.

He described the project as excellent, adding that the dam being the fourth in the state would benefit the surrounding communities and ensure access to more electricity for 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 was doing everything possible to secure the project, adding that at 99% percent completion, the project 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.

Minister of Power Eng. Aliyu also applauded the Muhammadu Buhari led administration for sustaining and completing the 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.

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

Sen. Gabriel Suswam said members of the National Assembly had doubts about the concessioning of the project and did not want Nigerians to be short-changed, hence, they started an investigation on the circumstances surrounding the concessioning.