FG seeks Private partnership to Construct more Dams

FG seeks Private partnership to Construct more Dams
Federal Government has reinstated its commitment in partnering with the private sector to construct dams that will ensure food sufficiency and power supply in Nigeria.

The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Water Resources Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu FNSE, FAEng made this disclosure during the 2019 annual National Conference of the Nigerian Committee on Large dams (NICOLD) holding in Abuja from 5^th to 6^th November, 2019.

The conference which has the theme: “Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Investment in the Development and Utilization of Dams in Nigeria – A Panacea for Economic Stimulation and Growth” was initiated to seek active collaboration of the Private Sector in the development of Dams and associated structures in Nigeria.

 Engr. Adamu stated “that financial requirements for the development of dams and associated structures are so enormous that Government alone cannot meet up with such challenges, thus requires active collaboration of the Private Sector” and called for private sector participation in the construction of dams and development of downstream infrastructure.

Engr. Adamu informed that Federal Ministry of Water Resources had been playing a pivotal role in synergizing the Public and Private Sector in the development of water infrastructure and that he directed publishing of the list of potentials and investment opportunities in hydro power and irrigation for effective Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Speaking further, the Minister said that the Ministry has made tremendous progress in the Brown and Green Field Water Sector Infrastructure development through Public Private Partnership (PPP) and further noted that the Ministry is currently developing the following projects through various Public Private Partnership (PPP) models: concession of the 30MW Gurara Hydropower Plant in Kaduna State, concession of the Kashimbila Hydropower Project in Niger State, development of 360MW Gurara Phase II Hydropower Project in Niger State, development of 136 MW Manya and 182 MW Bawaku Hydropower Project in Taraba and Benue States respectively and development of 460 MW Katsina – Ala Hydropower Project in Benue State.

Earlier in her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Comfort Ekaro C. commended members of NICOLD on their commitment and dedication towards National development and charged them on unity of purpose and to collectively chart a new course of action and a new way of doing things that will be acceptable to all.

The President of NICOLD, Dr. Johnson B. O. Adewumi, in his welcome address reiterated that NICOLD is a non-governmental International Professional Organization that provides knowledge and experience in dam engineering and science.