The Nigerian Government says the country has enough water resources to generate 14,000 megawatts of electricity.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and his Water Resources and Sanitation counterpart, Joseph Utsev, have therefore signed a memorandum of understanding towards sustainable power development.

According to the statement by the media aide to the Minister of Power, Bolaji Tunji, the Memorandum of Understanding was for the implementing the World Bank Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project for Nigeria programme and that the signing ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja marked a collaborative effort to harness Nigeria’s abundant hydropower potential.

The ministers were said to have signed the MoU before senior government officials, development partners from the World Bank and other key stakeholders.

Speaking, at the event, the power minister highlighted the significance of the programme in diversifying Nigeria’s energy mix, enhancing energy security, and combating climate change.

He noted that hydropower currently contributes about 20 per cent of Nigeria’s 5,000MW grid supply, with a potential estimated at 14,000MW.

However, he said only 15 per cent of the 14,000 MW potential had been tapped.

“This collaboration underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging our natural resources for sustainable development.

“Through SPIN, we aim to optimise water resources to provide clean and reliable energy while supporting irrigation and agriculture for enhanced food security,” Adelabu said.

Similarly, the water resources minister stressed the importance of integrating water and energy to foster socio-economic growth.

“This project will deliver the dividends of democracy that Nigerians are waiting for.

“The Federal Government, with support from the World Bank, remains dedicated to addressing developmental challenges in the country and delivering transformative results through innovative and strategic partnerships,“ he said.

GIK/APA