Nigerian Government To Beef Up Security Around Zungeru Hydro Dam

Nigeria’s Government is designing a robust security architecture around the Zungeru Hydro Power Dam in Niger State, North Central Nigeria so as to ensure its speedy completion within the next three months.

Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello stated this during a courtesy visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Chui Jianchun in Minna, the State Capital.

The Governor in a statement by Mary Berje his Spokesperson, said a multilevel security backup is being arranged to ensure the safety of the Chinese expatriates working on the site as well as protect the facilities.

“Despite the overwhelming security challenges in the state, the Federal Government is putting up heavy security presence and is committed to the successful completion of the facility already at 95% level of completion” Governor Sani Bello said.

Governor Sani Bello, who appreciated the envoy’s visit, however frowned at the activities of some illegal Chinese miners in the state, stressing that government is willing to partner with legally recognized mining companies in the business and would very soon clamp down on those operating illegally.

“The state government is willing to welcome and partner recognized mining companies but we’ll not tolerate acts of illegal mining activities in the state especially in places of historical monuments and ecologically harmful environment”.

The Governor further added that the state government is also seeking the collaboration of the Chinese government in the areas of agriculture, livestock, mining, infrastructure and capacity building among others, towards a mutually beneficial partnership.

The China Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr. Chui Jianchun said he was in the state to inspect the level of work at the Zungeru Hydro Power Dam.

Mr. Jianchun, who expressed satisfaction with the level and quality of work at the Hydro Power Dam, however regretted that insecurity has setback its completion time by almost seven months.

He disclosed that the Chinese government has lost a huge
amount of money due to the delay in the completion of the facility assuring that, with the expected support at the site, work should be completed in three months time.

The Ambassador expressed gratitude to Governor Sani Bello for the warm reception and assured that the strong bilateral ties between his country and Nigeria would only continue to wax even stronger.

Emmanuel Ukoh