Coalition of Shiroro Associations to shut down Zungeru hydroelectric power Dam project.
Yahaya Zakka Minna
The Coalition of Shiroro Associations in Niger State has threatened to obtain a court order to restrain the Federal Government from commissioning and further working on the multi billion naira 700 megawatt Zungeru hydroelectric power dam, if their demands are not met.
Spokesperson of the coalition, Comrade Salisu Sabo, stated this at a press conference in Kuta headquarters of Shiroro Local Government Area.
Speaking on the plight of those affected by the construction of the dam,Salisu revealed that the people, who have exhausted all constitutional avenues of seeking redress, will occupy the dam site in a peaceful protest against its commissioning.
He explained that they will also petition the World Bank on inability of Federal Government to fulfil its side of terms and condition for the loan obtained in an International Financial Institution to finance the project.
Sabo further noted, “we also want the name Zungeru dam to be replaced with Shiroro or Manta dam since 95 percent of the dam is located in Shiroro local government council and not Zungeru, the headquarters of Wushishi local government council”.
Also, the Chairman of the coalition, Comrade Usman Ibrahim Kuta noted, ” those whose properties have not been captured in the initial exercise be captured and assessed with special consideration to those who lost their land and were rẹndered homeless by activities of Shiroro dam project”.
In his remarks, the Chairman Shiroro Local Government Council, Suleiman Dauda Chukuba, assured of the continuous support of the Council at all times to succeed, while calling for adequate compensation and resettlement of victims to ameliorate their hardship.
The association is apparently reacting to a statement credited to Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, of Federal Government’s plans to commission the $1.3 billion Zungeru dam project by December this year, when he appeared before the members of the Senate to defend the 2022 budget estimate of his ministry.
