The Nigerian Federal Government restated its resolve to develop its identified hydro- power potential of 12,220 Megawatts to boost electricity supply in the country. Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, who disclosed this in Abuja – the nation’s capital, while addressing newsmen on his three years stewardship at the ministry, said of the identified potential of 12,220MW, only about 1,930MW had been developed.

Explaining how the 12,220MW hydro-power potential was identified and captured on the National Water Resources Master Plan and Roadmap, the minister said the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing were working in collaboration to concession some hydro projects.

“We are currently making progress for the concessioning of 30MW Gurara Hydropower Plant, which is planned to come into full operations soon. We are also progressing on our collaboration with the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing to concession the 40MW Kashimbilla Hydropower Plant, recently completed,” he said.

“However, both concessions are being delayed due to non-completion of the transmission lines that will evacuate the power by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and Federal Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing. In addition, we are in advanced discussions with potential investors for other hydro-power projects, including Gurara II (350 MW), Lokoja (750 MW) and Markurdi (1000 MW), among others,” he added.

It is noteworthy that Nigeria has over the years been unable to meet her domestic energy needs with its resultant snag on economic growth and development in the country. It is hoped that with policies and projects like this aimed to increase electricity generation, the country will be able to achieve rapid industrialization and economic prosperity.