The investor interested in rehabilitating the Erinle Dam in the State of Osun has been advised to review the timeline of the feasibility study from 36 to 12 months in order for the project to be feasible.
This advice was given by the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Dr. Amidu Tadese Raheem, during a consultative meeting with Messers Zander Van Der Walt and Ademola Adigun, representatives of Delf Consulting Engineers, WK Construction, Métier Investment Fund and Demlab Technical Services at the Ministry recently.
Amidu reminded the investor that the decision to invite them for the meeting was arrived at to hear from them on how they intended to carry out the project within the stipulated time.
The Commissioner also remained them that the state was business ready and open for investments.
According to him, the state had just concluded an economic and investment summit the previous week where Governor Adegboyega Oyetola had signed an Executive Order establishing the Osun State Investment Promotion Agency.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources and Energy, Ibitoye Felix Adeniran, an engineer, requested the investor to go to site and do a study after which they should come back to government for a Letter of Authority.
He also observed that on completion of the project, it will be of immense benefit to the state.
According to Ibitoye, the hydro project will help Osun attract more investment and meet the challenges of power to the mini water works in the state.
The spokesman for the investor, Mr. Zander Van Der Walt, disclosed that his firm has interest in working in Nigeria because of the great investment opportunities it provided adding that with the opportunities the government had created in the past years, Nigeria was ripe for foreign investments.
He also added that their firm has the right qualification and experience to handle the project based on their proven and tested capabilities and capacities.
According to him they had been involved in projects in Zambia, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya and other African countries.
He promised to go to the site of the dam and after the feasibility study return to brief the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy and representatives of the state government.
