Minna – President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday announced that the Federal Government would soon award the contract for Zungeru power project, as part of efforts to boost power generation in the country.

Jonathan, who made this known in Minna during the launch of the re-election campaign of Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger, said that the project would cost one and a half billion dollars (about N225 billion).

Speaking through the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, the President said that government had already set aside 300 million dollars (about N45 billion) for the commencement of the project.

He said that the project, when completed, would generate 600 megawatts of electricity and enhance the country’s power generation capacity.

He also said that the Zungeru project would also be used for irrigation farming by the host communities.

Besides, Jonathan pledged his administration’s commitment toward the completion of the second phase of the Gurara power project, adding that 300 million dollars (about N45 billion) had also been set aside for the project.

He said that the project would generate 300 megawatts of electricity when completed.

He also pledged Federal Government’s commitment toward the completion of the Kontagora water supply project aimed at ensuring regular water supply to the people of Kontagora.

He said that the project would also boost irrigation activities in the community.

Jonathan announced that contract for the reconstruction of the Minna-Abuja road into a dual carriageway had been awarded; adding that work on the road had since begun.

He said that the Federal Government was also planning to award the contract for the fast-train project to link Minna with Abuja.

He said that the dredging of River Niger had reached a 90 per-cent completion level, noting that the project would boost the socio-economic activities of communities on the riverbank.

Jonathan urged the people to vote for the PDP in the April polls to enable the party to complete the development projects it had started.

He particularly urged the people of Niger to re-elect Aliyu in April for a second term because of his good service delivery.

He pledged to continue working with Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in efforts to transform Nigeria, commending the duo for their contributions to the country’s development.

In his remarks, the state PDP Chairman, Abdulrahman Enagi, urged PDP supporters to work hard to ensure the party’s victory in April.

“You must strive to deliver your polling units, your wards and local government areas, so as to make way for the party’s total victory,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Bukola Saraki of Kwara, Gov. Aliyu Shinkarfi of Zamfara and Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State were among the dignitaries who attended the political rally.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also attended the rally, where Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, was represented by his son, Mohammed Babangida. (NAN)