UNIDO, China go partner to expand Nigeria hydropower capacity

For fresh move to solve Nigeria power wahala and boost rural development, di goment on Monday partner wit United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and Chinese government to launch one Small Hydropower Centre of Excellence for Abuja.

Dis initiative, wey China International Development Cooperation Agency dey fund, na to increase renewable energy capacity, improve rural electrification, and support agro-industrial growth for communities wey no get light before.

Dis project na di first of im kind for Nigeria and West Africa. Dem go base am for University of Abuja, and e go serve as regional hub for technical training, policy development, and knowledge transfer for small hydropower work.

As dem inaugurate am, UNIDO Regional Director, Philbert Johnson, talk say energy na key driver of economic growth. E talk say Nigeria get plenty renewable energy resources but dem never use dem well.

“I happy to dey wit una today for dis important launch of di China-funded project on ‘Establishment of Small Hydro Power Centre of Excellence for Nigeria’. Energy really dey important for sustainable economic growth and industrial development,” e talk.

Johnson add say, “God don bless Nigeria wit plenty renewable energy like hydropower, solar, biomass, and wind. Among all dis, Small Hydropower get big potential to give affordable electricity and fight climate change. But even wit all dis, less dan five percent of di small hydropower potential don develop. Di main wahala na technical, financial, and policy barriers.”

E explain say di new centre come dey to solve dis problems and help Nigeria use di hydropower resources wey dem never tap into.