Federal Government, weekend, explained the reason behind the introduction of entirely new technology, the Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) technology, in the construction of the 700 Megawatts Zungeru Hydro Power Dam, in Niger State.
Abubakar Dangaladima, Director, General Services, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, gave insights into the benefits of the new technology during a monitoring, evaluation and inspection visit by a team from the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing led by the power arm of the ministry.
Dangaladima, said most Dams in the country are either rock or concrete but the Zungeru Dam is being developed using linear type of concrete technology, known as RCC technology, to ensure that construction works are going on at any period of the year.
“The technology being used to develop the Dam is new in Nigeria. Currently most Dam we have in the country are either rock or concrete, but in this project we are utilising what is called linear type of concrete technology, known as Roller Compacted Concrete RCC technology.
“Using RCC technology has helped to ensure that construction works are going on at any period of the year. It also reduces the construction size of the project Dam” he said.
He added that normally most Dams are built underground, but in the case Zungeru Dam, it is built over ground, stressing that the contractors have done a lot to provide training for Nigerian Engineers who are engaged in the works.
Dangaladima noted that the training became necessary to enable Nigerian Engineers cope with the new technology that is being adopted in the construction of the Dam.
Dangaladima, reiterated that the federal government has paid all claims of the land owners, including compensation for farmers over their crops and land.
The project has also provided job opportunities for Nigerians and the local people around here.
“As we are talking 80 per cent of staff strength working in the project site are Nigerians.
Nobody has been short changed in terms of payment of compensations and claims to the best of my knowledge, if there were challenges in that regards, the locals would have voiced it out.”
Also speaking, Engineer Babatunde Adewunmi, the Deputy Project Manager for the joint venture transmission, said that the energy that could come from the new project is over 2600GW hour.
Adewunmi while explained that at the upstream of the location is Shiroroh Dam, while at the downstream there is Jebba Dam, adding that the project is located between the two rivers.
According to the engineer, the advantages is that the project enjoys improved regulation of river flow between Shiroroh and Jebba, and is therefore utilising the energy potentials from the river flow upstream from the river flow downstream.
Adewunmi, noted that the intention is for that water to turbine through 175 MW which is the head of 101 meters and the power that will be generated should be evacuated through transmission light, 132kv line to Kainji and double circuit 330kv line to connect Shiroroh – Jebba transmission line.
Source: Independent
