The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has revealed that it would soon introduce small hydropower projects using existing dams to address the energy needs of the rural areas of the country.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, disclosed this when he received a delegation of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology which visited the ministry on oversight and investigative function in Abuja.
Dr. Onu said already, the projects and transformers had been designed indigenously by the ministry’s engineers.
Two dams – Oyan dam and Ikere Gorge dam – were selected for the pilot scheme while the ministry is making effort to improve and expand the scope to cover other parts of the country, he added.
Dr. Onu also briefed the committee on the 774 Young Scientists Award of the ministry, adding that it was initiated to encourage young Nigerians to take interest in science subjects as a way of promoting science, technology and innovation in the country.
The programme, which he said was competitive, merit-based and transparent, afforded opportunity to all local government areas for participation.
Dr. Onu further assured that the ministry will continue to improve on the programme and ensure effective participation of all and sundry.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof. Robert Ajayi Borrofice, said the committee was on a special oversight visit to find out what the ministry did with its budget appropriation as well as its progress on the 2019 budget proposal.
