Actions on the resettlement of communities to be affected by the construction of the 700MW Zungeru Dam have commenced by the federal government, minister of state for power, ZainabKuchi has said.

Kuchi disclosed this during the official ground-breaking ceremony of the project by President Goodluck Jonathan, in Niger State.

She informed that the resettlement action plan and social mitigation efforts had commenced in earnest ahead of the official ground-breaking exercise.

Kuchi stated that the ministry has secured funds for the resettlement of affected communities in line with international best practice, while noting that the project underscored government’s efforts at diversifying energy mix which according to her, was in the proportion of 70 per cent thermal and 30 per cent hydro in 2012.

She explained that the host communities of the project consist of 88 wards in Shiroro, Rafi and Wushishi local government areas of Niger State that will be positively impacted by the dam.

According to her, the project during and after completion has the capacity to improve on the socio-economic lives of the people that reside in Zungeru and its adjoining towns and villages.

She listed the gains to be achieved through the creation of the project to include direct jobs such as fishing activities, farming through irrigation and animal husbandry.

“In addition the Zungeru Dam project will be capable of boosting tourism which is another source of foreign earnings to the nation. It will also create project construction job opportunities, including skills acquisition training for members of the host communities,” she said.

She added that “the enterprising individuals both men and women will also be energised by this project because of the positive economic activities. “

She further disclosed that the project will also create an opportunity to host a research centre. The centre, she explained, will focus on the river Kaduna fauna and will ensure it breeds and flourishes.
Actions on the resettlement of communities to be affected by the construction of the 700MW Zungeru Dam have commenced by the federal government, minister of state for power, ZainabKuchi has said.

Kuchi disclosed this during the official ground-breaking ceremony of the project by President Goodluck Jonathan, in Niger State.

She informed that the resettlement action plan and social mitigation efforts had commenced in earnest ahead of the official ground-breaking exercise.

Kuchi stated that the ministry has secured funds for the resettlement of affected communities in line with international best practice, while noting that the project underscored government’s efforts at diversifying energy mix which according to her, was in the proportion of 70 per cent thermal and 30 per cent hydro in 2012.

She explained that the host communities of the project consist of 88 wards in Shiroro, Rafi and Wushishi local government areas of Niger State that will be positively impacted by the dam.

According to her, the project during and after completion has the capacity to improve on the socio-economic lives of the people that reside in Zungeru and its adjoining towns and villages.

She listed the gains to be achieved through the creation of the project to include direct jobs such as fishing activities, farming through irrigation and animal husbandry.

“In addition the Zungeru Dam project will be capable of boosting tourism which is another source of foreign earnings to the nation. It will also create project construction job opportunities, including skills acquisition training for members of the host communities,” she said.

She added that “the enterprising individuals both men and women will also be energised by this project because of the positive economic activities. “

She further disclosed that the project will also create an opportunity to host a research centre. The centre, she explained, will focus on the river Kaduna fauna and will ensure it breeds and flourishes.

http://leadership.ng/news/300513/zungeru-dam-fg-commences-resettlement-host-community