Politically speaking, we implore the Minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, to investigate the reason why the newly-built $1.3bn 700MW Zungeru hydroelectric power station is yet to commence commercial operation as promised by his predecessor.  

Nigerians were elated and expectant after the power station successfully carried out pre-commissioning test of its four machines (4 x 175MW) but since the shutdown of the machines, mum’s the word.

The station is expected to evacuate it’s generation through the existing Jebba/Shiroro 330kV double circuit lines 1 and 2 that have been modified to receive generation output from the station and with its 700MW capacity, the Plant would have been the second largest hydo station after Kainji (760MW) in Nigeria and its introduction would have increased the nation’s available generation capacity and help improve power supply to Nigerians.

During his inspection visit to the Plant in company of the Chairman and members of the Senate Committee on Power, the immediate past Minister of power, Engr. Dr. Abubakar Aliyu, announced that the station will start full operation by the 2nd quarter of 2023, but it is worrying that the station is yet to start production.

In order to dispel the trust issue between the government and the citizens, it is urgent for the Minister of power to ask questions as to the cause of the delay in the take-off of the Plant and remove whatever encumbrance is found, especially now that the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has announced Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) as the preferred bidder for the power plant concession.

This is necessary if we recall the fact that during the commissioning of the Dangote Refinery on May 22nd by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians were told that the refinery will commence refining crude oil in late July or August and until now, it has not started operation.

It must be emphasized that the rainy season would have been the best time for the Plant to commence operation because hydro operation in Nigeria are seasonal and at this period, the lakes are at their fullest, which would give good operating head for the machines to operate efficiently.