ZUNGERU

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has stepped up oversight on the 700-megawatt Zungeru Hydropower Project to improve its performance.

The 1.3 billion dollars project is operated under a Public-Private Partnership and currently generates about 350 megawatts to the national grid.

The ICRC said the move is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s power sector.

Tinubu had said in his Democracy Day speech that electricity is a democratic dividend owed to every Nigerian.

The ICRC, acting under its 2005 Act, convened a stakeholders meeting in Abuja.

The meeting had officials of the Federal Ministry of Power, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Bureau of Public Enterprises and the concessionaire, Penstock Limited.

Director General of the ICRC, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, said PPP assets like Zungeru cannot be allowed to operate below capacity.

He said the meeting was to identify issues hindering optimal performance.

He said the President is committed to solving the country’s power challenges.

He said the ICRC is not a party to PPP agreements but ensures compliance by both government and concessionaire.

He cited Section 20 of the ICRC Act which mandates the Commission to monitor compliance, ensure efficient execution of concession agreements and ensure value for money.

He said signing an agreement is only the first step, and implementation is what delivers results.

He said the Commission will carry out similar reviews on other PPP power plants including Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro, Dadinkowa and Kashimbila.

He said a final report will be submitted to the President.

He said the Commission is committed to working with the Ministry of Power to ensure all PPP power projects contribute optimally to the nation’s energy needs.

At the close of the meeting, stakeholders listed legal and operational issues and agreed on a date to reconvene.