South Korea has offered to help Nigeria develop nuclear energy options that will enable the country to close deficits in its electricity generation and supply.
Speaking at an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Gabriel Suswam, the Ambassador of South Korea to Nigeria, Kim Young Choe, said his country’s doors are opened, if Nigeria ever wants to look in the direction of utilizing nuclear energy, to solve its electricity challenge.
According to the envoy, the nuclear energy options currently utilized in the United Arab Emirate, UAE, is based on the South Korean model and powered by South Korean companies.
He said that Nigeria can seize a similar opportunity.
The meeting which was at the instance of the Senate Committee was to clarify certain issues, regarding the Stand-alone Mini-grid Project to be funded by the Korean government and gifted to Nigeria.
The Mini-solar Grid Project is valued at $12.4 million (approximately N7billion).
Presenting the details, the South Korean ambassador, confirmed that the project is a grant from his country to Nigeria and not a loan.
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He also confirmed that all the 4 mini-grids will be sited in Abuja with the works and maintenance of the project handled by South Korean contractors.
While it welcomed the Korean gift, the Senate Committee had a few reservations, regarding the decision of the Korean government to have all the mini-grids sited in Abuja.
The Suswam Committee pushed even stronger, with appeals to the Korean government to consider a wider spread that will leave Abuja with only 1 mini-grid, and at least two mini-grids in each of
the six geopolitical zones.
Suswam noted further that the $12.4m being proposed for 4 mini-grids in Abuja will be enough to build 12 mini-grids, even though with smaller capacity, but with greater desired impact across the country.
In his presentation, the Managing Director/CEO, Rural Electrification Agency, (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, harped on the need for the Korean gift to be better spread in the same manner suggested by the Senate.
But apart from the issue of spread and value for money, the Managing Director raised concerns about the sustainability of the project, as well as the possibilities of having Nigerian companies work on the project.
Replying, the South Korean ambassador said, even though what the Senate has asked for is hefty and beyond him, he will forward the Nigerian request to his government in Seoul.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
