Nigerian Government Concessions Ikere Gorge Dam to Create 10,000 Jobs and Boost Power Supply

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Power, led by Minister Bayo Adelabu, has disclosed plans to concession the Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State. This concession is projected to generate 10,000 direct and indirect jobs and enhance power supply by six megawatts to Oyo State and neighboring states.

The dam, initially designed in the 1980s for hydropower generation and water supply, has suffered neglect and underutilization. The project aims to stimulate the electricity market, foster economic growth in the host community, and attract private investments in the renewable energy sector.

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has been instrumental in overseeing this public-private partnership initiative. Various stakeholders, including Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev from the Ministry of Water Resources, have expressed optimism about the project's potential to drive agricultural development, power generation, and job creation.