The Rokozi Construction Investment Limited, a Construction Company handling the ongoing construction of the National Center for Hydropower Research and Development (NACHRED)’s building project in the University of Ilorin has pledged to complete the project within the specification.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Chief Richard Okozi, disclosed this on Monda at the site of the project, saying that his company would leave no stone unturned to ensure the successful completion of the project in good record time of nine months.
Chief Richard explained that his company has brancehes in FCT, South West and eastern part of the country, saying that the company prides itself with quality jobs which accounts for leading role among it’s contemporaries.
He promised the NACHRED and the authority of the University of Ilorin of a quality work, promising that standard would not be compromised.
The ground breaking ceremony of the NACHRED headquarters was officially performed on May 3rd, 2019 located beside Center for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin.
The ceremony was attended by top staff of the NACHRED, principal officers of the University of Ilorin led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, staff of NACHRED among other invited guests.
Speaking during the official commencement of the NACHRED headquarters, the Director General and Chief Execitive Officer of Energy Commission of Nigeria, Professor Eli Jidere Bala said the project was in recognition of the Federal Government’s commitment on investing in research and higher education sector.
Professor Bala disclosed that the state-of-the-art building infrastructure will house sophiscated equipment to support specialized teaching and research activities in Hydropower Research and Training.
The Director, who was represented on the occasion by the Supervisory Director of NACHRED, Mrs Funmi Abiodun, added that the center would serve as a first class laboratory and workshop for conducting research on Hydropower equipment development such as hydro-turbines of various ratings.
“We are grateful to University of Ilorin to be worthy of hosting this center. We will definitely fast-track the center reaching and maintaining a first class leadership in Small Hydropower (SHP) research development and training in Africa” he pledged.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, who doubles as the Chairman Governing Board of NACHRED, Professor Sulyman Abdulkareem said the center was committed to identifying, assessing, documenting selected streams, rivers and falls with potential studies to provide up to 10 MW of electricity.
The Vice Chancellor disclosed that the studies on seven locations in Kwara, Kogi, and Nassarawa states have been concluded, adding that project was awaiting the actualisation of their constructions, pointing out that feasibility studies on SHP projects were on going in Ondo state.
Professor Abdulkareem hinted further that center was proposing a Post Grade Diploma (PGD) programme in Hydropower Technology and Management, revealing that the programme will be housed in the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering.
He disclosed that the programme will commence as soon as the University of Ilorin Senate approves the drafted Curriculum.
The Vice Chancellor commended the center under the leadership of Professor Bala for deeming it fit for NACHRED to build a befitting office, workshop and laboratory complex at the University of Ilorin.
Earlier in his welcome address, Director of NACHRED, University of Ilorin, Professor Adebayo Salami said the center was saddled with the responsibility of contributing to the attainment of UN Sustainable Development Goal (UN-SDGs) of the Federal Government since electricity is the cornerstone in all meaningful wellness and prosperity of the society.
Salami expressed optimism that the official foundation laying ceremony of the NACHRED office is a landmark that will transform rural community with renewable electrification through Small Hydropower (SHPs).
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