KNSG Forges Strategic Partnership with UNIDO
By Maikudi Muhammad Marafa
In a significant move to bolster its power sector and advance its clean energy agenda, the Kano State Government has cemented a strategic partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to develop small hydro power plants, beginning with the Ghari Dam project.
The partnership was formalized during a high-level meeting at the UNIDO office in Abuja, led by the State Commissioner of Power and Renewable Energy, Engr. Dr. Gaddafi Sani Shehu.
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Commissioner Shehu stated that the collaboration marks a critical milestone in the state’s sustainable development strategy. “This partnership with UNIDO underscores our unwavering commitment to harnessing renewable energy for the economic and industrial benefit of Kano State,” Dr. Shehu said. “The development of small hydro power plants at Ghari Dam is a cornerstone of our expanded power generation intervention under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”
The Ghari Dam project is designed to deliver substantial multi-sectoral benefits, including:
– Increased Power Generation: Boosting the state’s electricity capacity to bridge the energy deficit.
· Economic Growth: Providing reliable power to support agro-allied industries and stimulate local economies.
· Job Creation: Generating new employment opportunities within the community.
· Energy Security & Sustainability: Reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to global climate change efforts.
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Concurrently with the Abuja meeting, the Kano State Government initiated the project’s technical phase. Engr. Abduljabbar Muhd, Deputy Managing Director of the Kano Hydro and Energy Development Company, led a delegation of UNIDO technical experts on an inspection tour of the Ghari Dam site in Ghari Local Government Area.
“The site inspection is a crucial first step, demonstrating our administration’s dedication to leveraging international expertise and ensuring this project is grounded in technical excellence,” stated Engr. Abduljabbar.
A representative of the UNIDO technical team, Mr. Lin Chang Pang, confirmed the purpose of the visit. “Our team is here to conduct a thorough evaluation of the site’s conditions and assess its full potential for the successful development of the small hydro power plant,” he said.
This initiative is a key component of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration’s broader vision to ensure sustainable energy, drive industrial growth, and improve the quality of life for the people of Kano State.
