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By Tracy Moses
The Federal Government has realised over ₦7.1 billion from the concession of the 40MW Kashimbila Hydropower Plant located in Taraba State.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed this on Friday, May 16, 2025, during the 8th edition of the 2025 Ministerial Media Briefing Series organised by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, held at the National Press Centre, Abuja.
According to the Minister, the sum of ₦7,121,521,142.00 was paid into the Federal Government’s Special Concession Account in January 2024, representing the commencement fee for the first five years of the concession.
While stating key achievements of his ministry in the past two years, Utsev noted that three dams had been completed and commissioned. These include the Rafin Yashin Multipurpose Dam in Niger State, the Odo-Ape Hydropower Dam in Kogi State, and the Amla Otukpo Dam in Benue State.
He revealed that, under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework, two major facilities have been successfully concessioned: the 40MW Kashimbila Hydropower Plant in Taraba State and the Kashimbila Integrated Cargo/Agro-Allied Airport (Category B).
Utsev also stated that two additional hydroelectric projects are currently at different stages of PPP concession: the 460MW Katsina-Ala Hydropower Project in Benue State and the 20MW Farin Ruwa Project in Nasarawa State.
He stressed that these dam and power projects are poised to enhance electricity generation, ease the transportation of agricultural produce, and spur the growth of local industries.
In the area of irrigation, the Minister announced the completion of four key projects: the Bakalori Irrigation Project in Zamfara State, Dadin-Kowa in Gombe State, and micro irrigation schemes at Igbogidigidi Ipapo in Oyo State and Gari in Jigawa State.
Additionally, several water supply projects have been completed across the country. These include the Birnin-Kudu Water Supply Project in Jigawa State, designed to serve around 500 households, and the Gashua Water Project in Yobe State, capable of delivering 3,200 million litres daily to over one million people.
Other projects mentioned include the Potiskum Water Supply Scheme in Yobe State, aimed at serving 30,000 residents, and the water supply system at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja.
Prof. Utsev gave assurances that his ministry is on track to complete at least 11 additional projects by the end of 2025.
Looking ahead, he said the ministry will focus on improving sanitation facilities in schools, healthcare centres, and public spaces, as well as building the capacity of WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) officials at the state and local government levels.
He added that private sector participation would be scaled up to support investments geared towards ending open defecation in Nigeria, under the “Clean Nigeria Campaign” in partnership with UNICEF.