Hydropower Project: Edo Commences Second Phase

• Hydropower Project: Edo Commences Second Phase

The Edo State Government has perfected plans to commence the second phase of the Edo hydropower project started last year with UNIDO.

In a statement issued by the state government on Tuesday, Mr Akin Agbaje, the Edo State Commissioner for Energy, said the state government had concluded the first phase of the project last year with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

Agbaje said, “Sometimes last year, we concluded a feasibility study with UNIDO on the Small Hydro Power Project. The idea is to generate some megawatts from the Ikpoba River Dam to service some locations in New Benin down to the Benin Technical College. We are now in the second phase of the feasibility study and this is well captured in the 2020 budget. So very soon, the feasibility study will be concluded and construction works will commence.”

He further explained that the state government seeks to harness the state’s water resources to generate electricity. The project, already captured in the 2020 budget, will address the power challenges of the Edo people.

“As a government, we have a responsibility to balance interests and this we are achieving for every investor that comes into Edo State. We have an Energy Working Committee to coordinate the processes of integration into the communities. When an investor comes, we share the data available on possible locations for investments, while they then go on to conduct the viability study.

“Also, in the course of writing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the host communities, the state government plays a critical role. Through relevant agencies, we help them through the process of land acquisition within the shortest possible time; and in doing this, we also ensure that Edo indigenes are not exploited.”