BY CHRIS OCHAYI

DETERMINED to improve power generation in the country, the Federal Government has called on the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, to assist it in getting an economically workable feasibility study that can promote the viability of the various dams in the country.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who said this while receiving the Director General of UNIDO, Mr. Li Yon, in Abuja, said that majority of the country’s dams have potentials for hydro power, but sadly these potentials have not been exploited for power generation.

Yon, was accompanied by the Nigerian Ambassador to Austria, Abel Adelakun Ayoko.
Nebo noted that, if the potential from these dams are fully utilised, it will bring economic transformation to the nation, as many small scale businesses will spring up, communities will be industrialised and will eventually help in the eradication of poverty in the nation.

While commending the organisation for the research work already done on the potential of small hydros in the country, the minister expressed delight over the second phase of the ongoing Hydro Centre in Abuja. Healso pledged the Ministry’s continued support for UNIDO and its activities.

In his remarks, the Hon. Minister of State for Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, commended UNIDO’s collaboration in ensuring the realisation of the transformation agenda of the President, saying that power holds the key to the economic emancipation of the country.

He applauded the Organisation’s interest in renewables, as could be seen from the various researches it had undertaken in the area of solar, biomass and wind energy.
Earlier, the UNIDO DG, Li Yon, stated that he had come to rob minds with the Minister with a view to identifying critical areas of synergy and partnership.

“Industrialisation is the backbone for any nation’s transformation,” he said, while also acknowledging the long standing relationship between UNIDO and the country in the area of critical infrastructure which he said, is sacrosanct to the socio economic development of Nigeria.