Hydropower generation: Gurara, Kashimbila dams up for concession

• Unscrupulous, Evil Businessmen Stall Passage Of Water Bill — House Committee Chair 

TO fully maximise the use of dams to meet growing demand for power, the Federal Government said it has given concession for 30 megawatts Gurara hydropower plant and 40 megawatts Kashimbila power plant under a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, made this known during the 27th regular meeting of the National Council on Water Council (NCWR), held in Abuja.

He said concessioning these hydropower generating plants would ensure full utilisation of dams’ infrastructure, by boosting power generation, reducing flooding and creating employment.

“Under a PPP arrangement, we gave concession for Gurara hydropower plant, which is 30 megawatts on May 12, 2020 and commenced concessioning of Kashimbila plant, a 40-megawatts hydropower plant with appointment of a transition adviser in June, this year…”

Meanwhile, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli Jibiya, has attributed the failure to pass the National Water Resources Bill into law, to unscrupulous, evil and wicked businessmen, who do not want the nation’s progress.

Jibiya, who spoke on importance of the bill to growing the nation’s water sector, turned his wrath on individuals, who he alleged, misinformed the public, thereby leading to non-acceptance and rejection of the bill.

Minister of the Federal Capital (FCT), Territory, Mohammed Bello, urged members of the council to implement decisions reached at the meeting.