FG sets up local committee for Zungeru hydro project

The federal government has inaugurated a community relations committee on the Zungeru 700mw hydro project.
Inaugurating the committee yesterday in Abuja, Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said the committee was expected to provide hands-on platform and a one-stop point for resolution of all community related issues.
He, therefore, charged the committee to operate within a five-point terms of reference, assignment.
Nebo also took time to assure that all construction activities on the site of Zungeru Hydro project had since commenced in earnest with the execution of the China Exim Bank loan for the project.
He informed that Messrs CNEEC-Sinohydro had completed construction design and drawings, contractors’ Camp facilities, topographic survey/drilling works and sub-surface investigations.
He listed other activities to include exploration construction material crushing and batching plans and site clinic.
He once more defended the cost of the project, saying the project bench mark cost of $1.85 million per installed megawatts was very competitive.
Debunking a media report that the project was the costlier of its kind, Nebo said the International Renewable Agency (IRENA), an NGO supporting countries in the development of sustainable energy future, had indicated that investment cost for large hydro power was in the range of $1.050m to $7.6m per mw, justifying that of Zungeru as inexpensive.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Power, Mr Godknows Igali, said the committee was constituted to interface and resolve all problems envisaged all through the life of the project.
He said the committee would be based in Minna, the Niger state capital, charging members to ensure seamless relationship with all parties.
Responding on behalf of the Committee, its Chairman, Isah Jibrin, assured government of their willingness to serve with utmost sincerity. He assured that the committee would be guided by the terms of reference.