There was no explosion at the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant in Niger State as widely reported, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has stated.
There were reports that the Zungeru power plant was hit by an explosion in the early hours of Monday.
A parent company of Penstock Limited which is in charge of the Hydroelectric Power Plant refuted the rumour.
According to the Minister, the Zungeru power plant is on the grid and the plant is running at optimum capacity.
A statement by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communication and Media Relations, quoted the Minister as saying that the report of an explosion is a figment of the imagination of the purveyors of such information.
“I have spoken with the Managing Director of Mainstream Energy and I can assure you that nothing of such took place in Zungeru.
“The plant is working and it continues to supply to the grid. We have video evidence from Zungeru that nothing like that occurred today and whoever is interested should go there to find out.
“It is rather unfortunate that people will sit down somewhere and cook up this sort of story. It is unpatriotic, such people should desist from creating unnecessary panic”.
Also, refuting the rumour in a statement titled: “Fake News of an Explosion at Zungeru Hydro Power Plant.” and posted on X.com on Monday, the management of MESL stated that the plant was intact as it condemned the “false and mischievous report.”
The statement partly reads: “The fake news concerning an explosion at the Zungeru Hydropower Plant with resulting casualties published in newspapers on July 1, 2024, and circulated on social media has been brought to our attention.
“We wish to express our strong objection to this false and mischievous report, categorically stating that no such incident occurred.
“This report is not only false but also highly irresponsible and insensitive, given the pervasive nature of insecurity issues in Nigeria.”
