08 February 2014, Abuja – Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo has assured Nigerians that all construction activities on the Zungeru Hydro Project site have since commenced in earnest with the execution of the China-Exim Bank loan for the project.
Speaking recently at the inauguration of the Zungeru Community Relations Committee, Chinedu Nebo said that Messrs. CNEEC-Sinohydro has completed activities pertaining to the construction design and drawings for the contractors’ camp facilities, the topographic survey/drilling works and sub-surface investigations. Other activities, he mentioned include: the exploration of construction materials as well as the crushing and batching of plans for the site clinic. He explained further that the Zungeru benchmark cost of US$1.85m per installed megawatt is very competitive.
Chinedu Nebo also pointed out that the International Renewable Agency (IRENA), an inter-governmental organization which supports countries with the development of sustainable energy future has indicated that investment cost for large hydro-power ranges from US$1.050 million to US$7.6 million per megawatt. This position, he says clearly indicates that the project is not as expensive as mentioned sometime ago by the press.
According to him, the Committee which was inaugurated is expected by Government to provide hands – on platforms and a one-stop point for the resolution of all community related issues. The Minister charged the committee to operate with a five-point terms of reference as its assignment.
Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali said that Government has constituted the committee to interface and resolve all problems envisaged throughout the duration of the project. He continued that the all encompassing committee will have its base in Minna and charged them to ensure seamless relationships with all parties.
Responding on behalf of the Committee, its Chairman, Isah Jibrin assured the Government of their willingness to serve with utmost sincerity. He added that the committee will key-in to the Transformation Agenda of the President in providing more electricity to Nigerians. He also assured them that the committee will be guided by the terms of reference handed down to them by the Minister.
