By Dele Ogbodo
The Nigerian electricity mix is set to receive a boost as Nigeria and China fine tunes the framework to partner on the deployment of hydro power project
for energy production and generation.
Nigeria has identified the gaps in energy generation and water conservation and has therefore identified this as factor responsible for low industrial activities, unemployment, urban and rural migration in Nigeria.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr.Ogbonnaya Onu, made the disclosure at the weekend in Abuja while declaring open the 2018 training courses on construction and management of water conservation and hydro project by the People’s Republic China in Abuja.
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Mr. Bitrus Nabasu said the training which is an initiative of the Government of the People’s Republic of China in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Budget and National Planning and Science and Technology is aimed at enlightening core engineering staff of relevant Ministries and Agencies in construction and management of water conservancy and hydro power projects.
Dr. Onu further said that the training will deepen their understanding of small hydro power (SHP) and enhance their capacities while also building a lasting cooperation and friendship between the governments and the peoples of China and Nigeria.
The minister said: “The ministry in 2016 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Center for Small Hydropower (ICSHP) China in implementing its wasting assets of small hydropower plants survey in Nigeria project. The project will among others, create a synthesis of Reverse Engineering of latest Chinese Small hydropower technologies adaptable to Nigeria.”
“This will be applied in bringing back to life some moribund small hydropower plants spread all over the country. Small Hydropower Plant inclusion will also be introduced into some of the nation’s dam sites for electricity generation.” he added.
This collaboration he averred is expected to boost the nation’s electricity generation, boost industrialization, create jobs and wealth. This will enable us conserve and strengthen foreign trade with its multiplier benefits to our national economy.
Dr. Onu called on all Nigerians to join hands to enable this administration succeed in the new direction it is seeking to take Nigeria through Science, technology and Innovation.
Earlier in the opening remarks, the Economic and Commercial Consular of Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Zhao Linxang, said Nigeria has huge potential in hydro power, and how to properly make use of the potential is the issue.
Mr. Linxang further said that, the 2018 Seminar on Construction and Management of Water Conservancy and Hydropower for Nigeria, will focus on the power generation, especially hydro-power generation.
He added that the training course is the first time Chinese government holds overseas hydropower training course in Nigeria, adding that the Organizer, National Research Institute for Rural Electrification of the Ministry of Water Resources, had rich experience in training.
In his speech, the Managing Director of International Center on Small Power (ICSHP) Mr. Fu Zilong, said the aims of the seminar is to improve capacity on hydro power development and management for Nigeria, promotion of local development resources as well as refurbishment of old power stations.
According to Zilong, “Chinese advanced technology and equipment will be promoted to “going global” for cooperation between Chinese enterprise and Nigerian government department as well as enterprises. The experience and lessons of China in this field can be valuable for development in Nigeria.”
He added that the development of small hydro power as well as a sustainable energy should be the key focus of power industry for Nigeria.