FG wants Zungeru power project completed by December

The Federal Government (FG) has tasked contractors handling the Zungeru power project to ensure its completion by the December 2021 deadline.

It assured that challenges faced by contractors in the discharge of their duties which bothers on security, COVID 19, cost adjustment owing to the extra work outside the contracted sum and the delay in release of fund by China-Exim Bank would be addressed.

The Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, stated this statement while receiving the consultants and contractors of Messrs. CNEEC-Sinohydro consortium for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project at his office on Friday in Abuja.

He stressed efforts of the ministry through the Ministry of Finance at resolving the issue relating to opening of the escrow account in a commercial bank prescribed in the Subsidiary Loan Agreement with Exim bank of China which negates the current Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy of government.

While expressing satisfaction at the presentation made by the contractors, he urged them to meet the December 28, 2021 deadline of completing the project while assuring them that all constraints that may hinder the delivery of the project would be addressed.

During his presentation, the project Director, Dr. JBO Adewumi of Coyne et Bellier (Tractebel) / Decrown Consultancy Service said the assessed overall percentage of completion of the project is about 90%.

He, however, pleaded for quick resolve of the constraints enumerated.

The Zungeru hydropower plant project is located on Kaduna River, 8km upstream of the confluence with the Gumna River in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State. This is approximately 20km northeast of Zungeru, 25km southeast of Tegina, 43km northwest of Minna and 77km downstream of the Shiroro power plant.

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