Nig To Benefit From Synergy With Hydropower Professionals

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev says Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from synergy with hydropower professionals to address multifaceted challenges and contribute to the socioeconomic advancement of Nigeria.

Prof. Utsev made this known when he hosted the  President of Nigeria Hydropower Professionals Association Imo Ekpo and his members in Abuja.

He reiterated the importance of leveraging the expertise of hydropower professionals to enhance power provision for farmers, drive irrigation potential, bolster job creation and food security nationwide.

He stressed that tapping into this pool of knowledge, wiĺl not only reduce production costs  but will also improve the livelihoods of citizens across the country significantly.

The minister emphasized the significance of the SPIN project, a collaborative effort between the World Bank and the Federal Government, which contains hydropower components beneficial to stakeholders in the sector.

Utsev highlighted that once fully operational, the SPIN project will make power available for farmers and also drive irrigation facilities.

He underscored the Ministry’s commitment to synergizing with hydropower professionals to achieve these crucial objectives.

In his remarks, the Minister of State, Bello Muhammad Goronyo applauded the professionals for their wealth of experience and knowledge in taking care of the critical structure of hydropower.

He emphasized the need for capacity building and mentoring adding that there is no developed society without energy, security and sufficiency.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi encouraged collaboration with the professionals and affirmed that efficient hydropower plants can give communities around them some respite and reduce the  burden on the National Grid.

On his part, the President of the Nigeria Hydropower Professionals Association, Imo Ekpo emphasized that the Association’s mission to advance sustainable hydropower perfectly aligns with the government’s agenda adding that partnership could catalyze the realization of this potential which will usher a new era of economic growth and environmental stewardship.

According to him initiatives like the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project (SPIN) led by the World Bank and Agencies is a concerted effort to modernize existing systems to ensure vast hydropower potential stressing that through advocacy, knowledge sharing, and strategic partnerships, the Association is poised to amplify the values and benefits of the hydropower industry, ultimately contributing to enhanced irrigation, water supply, and economic development.

“The immense potential of hydropower development in Nigeria, exceeding 85% untapped capacity, as a significant opportunity to address critical challenges such as electricity generation, water management, and climate change mitigation”

By Georgina Humphrey,Edited By Grace Namiji
[05:55, 08/05/2024] Grace Madam: Publish please
[06:07, 08/05/2024] Grace Madam: FG Promises To Complete Ongoing Construction Of Dams

The Federal Government has promised to complete the ongoing construction of dams across the country.

This includes the Doma and the Farin Ruwa Multipurpose Dam project in Nassarawa State.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev stated this when the Governor of Nassarawa State, Abdullahi Sule and his delegation paid him a courtesy visit in his office, in Abuja.

Prof. Utsev stressed that completion of the Dam would play a significant role in water supply, irrigation, hydro-power generation, and job creation.

He explained that its strategic location near the FCT and other states underscores its potential impact on the region’s development, which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He informed the Governor that the Farin Ruwa Dam, with its hydro-power capacity of approximately 25 megawatts, has been included in the 2024 appropriation, and construction progressing.

The Minister who emphasized that upon completion, the dam will guarantee ample water supply for households, irrigation, and hydro-power generation and many more noted that it will not only benefit Nassarawa State but also extend its advantages to Benue State and the FCT, fostering job creation, wealth generation, and ensuring food security.

Prof. Utsev also mentioned that the Doma Dam in Nasarawa State is among those slated for rehabilitation by the Federal Government and expressed gratitude for the Governor’s visit as well as reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to partnering the Nassarawa State Government on initiatives relating to food security, water supply, and hydro-power generation.

Utsev who stressed the pivotal role of the Federal Government in implementing water and sanitation programmes across states, encouraged active participation from state governments in collaborative efforts for the mutual welfare of citizens revealed that the inter-transfer of water from Gurara Dam to the lower Usman Dam is currently underway, aimed at significantly improving the quality of life for the FCT, Nasarawa indigenes and residents in the surrounding areas.

The Minister urged the Governor to embrace the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign’ to facilitate Nasarawa State’s registration among open defecation free (ODF) states, aligning with the national goal of achieving ODF status by 2025.

He underscored that currently, only Jigawa State has attained the ODF status. He emphasized the campaign’s importance in eradicating waterborne diseases like Typhoid fever, diarrhoea, and malaria, thereby promoting public health and contributing to national prosperity.

Earlier, the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, congratulated both Ministers on their appointments by the President, reiterating Nasarawa State’s commitment to collaborating with the Ministry, particularly in counterpart projects tailored for state governments.

Also, the General Manager of the Nasarawa State Water Board, Kana Ahmed Abubakar, expressed the state’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry on its transformative initiatives, indicating a shared commitment to addressing these challenges and improving the livelihoods of the people.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alh. Aliyu Shehu Shinkafi, along with several directors and staff from the Ministry.

By Georgina Humphrey,Edited By Grace Namiji