Nigerian Govt To Concession 6 Hydro Dams - Fashola

Babatunde Fashola

Minister of Works, Power and Housing Babatunde Fashola has revealed that Nigeria has finished plans to concession six hydro dams to private operators.

Fashola said this will be under the build, operate and transfer, BOT, scheme.

The former Lagos State Governor revealed this at the 29th Power Sector Stakeholders’ meeting in Minna, the Niger State capital over the weekend.

Fashola said that “These are Government-led initiatives based on the Rural Electrification plan approved by the President in 2016 to provide access to power for rural dwellers and vulnerable members of our society.”

According to Fashola, “We proposed to use 6 small hydro dams that had been abandoned for decades, Federal Government owned universities and some markets as anchors.

“Apart from the Universities, where Government is directly funding the intervention, the markets are being privately funded, contrary to the untrue allegations that have been made in the media, and I challenge those who made the allegation to provide proof to the contrary.

“There are currently 15 markets under contemplation with Ariaria, Sabon Gari and Sura markets in Aba, Kano and Lagos as flagships.”

He added that “The 6 hydro dams are to be concessioned to private operators to build, operate, and transfer.

“Our thinking is simple. While the whole value chain and power privatisation gradually evolves, it is possible to create Oases of success by showing to our children that they can have reliable power while in school.

“If that is a reason to get children to school and keep them there, certainly, no good business can oppose this.

“Indeed, it seems to me sensible to expect that the future of today’s business and even Government, rests solely on the quality of education that the current generation of students get.

“As for the markets, the 37,000 shops in Ariaria, about 13,000 in Sabon Gari, and about 1,000 in Sura represent SMEs, where the majority of our people earn a living.

“They are currently paying for expensive power from small and environmentally unfriendly generators.

“It seems to me that our nation will have come to their aid if we deliver reliable power to the most vulnerable like them.”





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