The Federal Government has issued 21 licences for hydropower generation and water-related activities with other pending applications.
The Federal Executive Council had in 2017 approved the Water Use and Licence Regulation, which had been gazetted and became operational nationwide.
Reuben Habu, the executive director of Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, who stated this on Friday, sadi the commission has issued licences to Nestle Water and Winners Power Gardens companies for water supply and hydropower construction respectively.
Habu noted that the issuance of licences to prospective applicants was another landmark, having met the conditions required by law.
He said in line with the Federal Government’s effort and drive to bring about a healthy and robust water use regulation and the need to unbundle the power sector, the Commission had issued about 21 licences for hydropower generation and water-related activities with other pending applications.
On his part, Mr Suleiman Adamu, the Minister of Water Resources, said that the licensing of various water users became imperative as the government was upscaling revenue generation, job creation, and improved agriculture production, among others.
“To our successful applicants, I enjoin you to use your licences for the purpose for which they were granted, as stipulated in the licence terms and conditions as violation will not be tolerated,” he added.
The minister further urged those given licences to utilise the licensing period to develop, operate and maintain various projects in a sustainable manner.
