The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has asserted that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from synergy with hydropower professionals in the critical role that hydropower development plays in addressing multifaceted challenges, ultimately contributing to the socioeconomic advancement of Nigeria.
In the same vein, the Minister of State, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, in his remarks, applauded the professionals for their wealth of experience and knowledge in taking care of the critical structure of hydropower. He emphasized the need for capacity building and mentoring adding that there is no developed society without energy security and or sufficiency.
The ministers made this unanimous assertion on Tuesday when they received Engr. Imo Ekpo, who is the President of Nigeria Hydropower Professionals Association, alongside other members of the association in a courtesy visit to their office in Abuja.
Utsev reiterated the importance of leveraging the expertise of hydropower professionals to enhance power provision for farmers, drive irrigation potentials, and bolster job creation and food security nationwide. The minister stressed that tapping into this pool of knowledge wiĺl not only reduce production costs but also improve the livelihoods of citizens across the country significantly.
Additionally, he emphasized the significance of the SPIN project, a collaborative effort between the World Bank and the Federal Government, which contains hydropower components beneficial to stakeholders in the sector.
According to him, once fully operational, the SPIN project will make power available for farmers and also drive irrigation facilities. He underscored the ministry’s commitment to synergizing with hydropower professionals to achieve these crucial objectives.
The Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi, encouraged collaboration with the professionals and affirmed that efficient hydropower plants can give communities around them some respite and reduce the burden on the national grid.
Engr. Imo Ekpo, the President of the Nigeria Hydropower Professionals Association, who was accompanied by the DG, NIHSA, Engr. Clement Nze, and staff of the ggency, highlighted the immense potential of hydropower development in Nigeria, exceeding 85% untapped capacity, as a significant opportunity to address critical challenges such as electricity generation, water management, and climate change mitigation.
He emphasized that the Association’s mission to advance sustainable hydropower perfectly aligns with the government’s agenda, suggesting that their partnership could catalyze the realization of this potential, ushering in a new era of economic growth and environmental stewardship.
According to him initiatives like the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project (SPIN) led by the World Bank and Agencies is a concerted effort to modernize existing systems to ensure vast hydropower potential. He added that through advocacy, knowledge sharing, and strategic partnerships, the Association is poised to amplify the values and benefits of the hydropower industry, ultimately contributing to enhanced irrigation, water supply, and economic development.
