The Federal Government has announced its partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to enhance hydropower infrastructure in Nigeria.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed this during a visit from Dr Osu Inya-Otu, the National Programme Officer of UNIDO, and his team at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Utsev highlighted the ministry’s mandate of constructing dams and promoting irrigation farming to improve agriculture, acknowledging the persistent challenge of inadequate power supply for efficient irrigation equipment utilisation.
He expressed optimism that through this collaboration, hydropower generation in the country would significantly improve.
The minister emphasised the administration’s commitment, under President Bola Tinubu, to enhancing electricity provision and scaling up irrigation farming to boost food production and mitigate the high cost of food items.
Utsev stressed the importance of partnering with UNIDO to enhance dams for hydropower, agricultural, and food production improvements in Nigeria.
He noted the significance of constructing and effectively utilising dams to address power shortages and enhance agricultural productivity.
He assured UNIDO of the ministry’s readiness to align with the organisation’s programme, providing technical expertise and necessary support for project success.
Dr Osu Inya-Otu, UNIDO’s National Programme Manager, outlined the purpose of the visit, aiming to inform the minister about an upcoming project focused on promoting hydropower in Nigeria.
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He revealed UNIDO’s plan to establish six hydropower stations across the country to generate electricity for productive use and solicited additional support from the ministry to facilitate project implementation.
Present at the courtesy visit were the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi, and several Technical Directors. (NAN)
