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FG Says 700MW Zungeru Hydro Plant Will be Complete in 48 months

By on December 12, 2012

As the Federal Government continues its drive and determination to solve the power supply challenge in the Nation,  one of the Hydro Power plants which is to produce 700mw of electricity for the country has been primed to be ready and fully operational in 48 months.

The Project which is handled by a Consortium of Chinese power Firms is expected after completion to boost the power sector in the country and provide respite to the epileptic and slow pace of power generation and distribution at the moment.

Located in Zungeru a strategic location in the Nation, endowed with the beautiful falls will now become a key power generation point in the country for Hydro-power generation  which is to serve as a viable alternative source of power for the country, complementing the likes  of Kainji Dam.

This project started since 1982 with a coordinated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) feasibility studies to analyze the impact it will have on the totality of the entire community of Zungeru Indigenes. The EIA was carried out by the American Company Chas T. Main International and was later worked on by French Firm Coyne et Bellier.

Total estimate of the Hydro Power plant revealed that it would gulp about N162billion,the Minister of State Power  Hajiya Zainab Kuchi who supervised the contract signing  with the Chinese Firm CNEEC-Sinohydro consortium was optimistic that the project will impact the socio-economic activity in the Nation.

She stated while addressing newsmen that “I am glad to welcome you to the formal signing ceremony of the contract agreement for the implementation of the 700MW Zungeru hydroelectric power project. Zungeru started a long time ago in 1982 with feasibility studies by Chas T. Main International”.

On the Viability of the project Hajiya Kuchi asserted “With a completion period of 48 months including a defect liability period of 12 months, it is pertinent to mention that the total cost of the implementation of the project is USD 377,723,701.31 plus ¥3,701,664,848,66 plus N44,007,398,398.00 equivalent to N162,990,364,379.30. The source of funding is from an arrangement with the Exim Bank of China for 75 per cent of the project cost while counterpart funding balance in the sum of $309 million is currently available with the ministry of power”.

Speaking also at the occasion the Vice-President of the Chinese Group Mr Du Nan in his remarks said the consortium will perform according  to the standard given it and will ensure that the set timeline for the project to be completed will not elapse, with all the necessary logistics put in place.