Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The Minister of Power, Mr. Bayo Adelabu, has promised that Nigerians will experience marked improvement in power supply in the next six months.
Specifically, Adelabu who made the disclosure on his X/Twitter handle, tied his optimism to the expected commencement of the 700MW Zungeru power plant, which he noted is about to be completed.
The former Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu had earlier in the year revealed that the Hydroelectric power project had been completed and was only awaiting inauguration.
The project worth over $1.3 billion, is being constructed by CNEEC and SINOHYDRO in Niger State.
It is said to be the second-largest hydroelectric power project in the country behind the 760 megawatts (1,020,000 hp) Kainji hydroelectric power project.
Aliyu had pointed out at the time that all the turbines had been tested and plans were being concluded for the official launch of the project.
However, Adelabu’s post raised questions on the micro-blogging site as regards the level of work on the project.
“I want to say that between six months and one year, we will start seeing improvement in the power sector.
“Within the next six months, there would be major additions to the national grid in terms of hydropower plants. That is the Zugeru 700MW in Niger state, which is about to be completed. This will be the biggest one in sub-Sahara Africa when completed.
“The Kainji dam that we all grew up to know supplies about 460MW, Shiroro dam supplies about 520MW. I will do everything to ensure that Zugeru power plant is inaugurated and subsequently add 700MW to the national grid.”
Adelabu, who was the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Director for Operations, expressed the hope that having stable electricity in the country was possible, noting however that it would take a little while.
“We know it’s not something that is achievable overnight but we believe that once the foundation is laid, others can also build on it and then we will begin to actualise the use of power for economic growth in our nation,” he stated.
