Reps Summon Water Resources Minister Over 40MW Dadin-Kowa Hydropower Concession

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing Nigeria’s power sector reforms and expenditures from 2007 to 2024 has summoned the Minister of Water Resources, top water management officials, and all signatories to the 2005 concession agreement for the 40MW Dadin-Kowa Hydropower Project.

The committee, chaired by Arch. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, issued the summons on Wednesday following Mabon Generating Company’s presentation on persistent gaps and delays in the project—issues lawmakers described as unacceptable.

Aliyu directed the committee secretariat to summon the following for an appearance on December 4, 2025:

• Minister of Water Resources
• Managing Director, Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority
• Managing Director, Hadejia–Jama’are River Basin Development Authority
• Chief Executive, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission
• Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC)
• All original signatories to the 2005 concession and its subsequent addendum

Aliyu expressed concern that nearly 20 years into the 25-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession, the project remains hindered by delays, addendums, bureaucratic hurdles, and unclear responsibilities.

He questioned the level of due diligence conducted, saying:

“From 2005 to date, 20 years have gone. You entered into an agreement after confirming the facility was fit. Now, midway, you suddenly realise there are challenges.”

The committee also requested full documentation, including the appraisal committee report that justified the concession addendum, performance assessments, generation records, identified gaps, and payment-related issues.

Mabon Generating Company revealed that since 2021 it has supplied over 700 million kWh of electricity to the national grid and has not received any grants or direct Federal Government loans. COO Umar Shehu Hashidu noted that the company has already submitted the 2005 concession agreement, 2015 addendum, and relevant regulatory approvals.

During the session, Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, highlighted the ongoing Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) aimed at closing Nigeria’s seven-million-meter deficit and reducing losses in the electricity sector.

Representing the PMI Director, Obafemi Sotebo stated that the initiative seeks to eliminate estimated billing, boost revenue assurance, and develop a national network of smart meters capable of remote auditing. According to him, addressing the metering gap could cut sector losses from 45–50% to 12–15%, aligning with global standards.

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