This is a new consequence of the economic sanctions that hit Niger. The construction of the Kandadji hydroelectric dam, in the so-called “Three Borders” area, has been put on hold. The Chinese group in charge of the project announced it in a letter addressed to the labor inspectorate of Tillabéri. The Gezhouba group also evokes the ” gradual dismissal » local workers.
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The China Gezhouba Group speaks of a ” case of force majeure “. Due to sanctions from ECOWAS, the European Union and the World Bank, it is ” no longer possible “to settle” accounts for the company “, announced the group. “ We find ourselves forced to stop all construction activities “, explained the Chinese construction giant, which evokes a delay ” one week “.
Of the “ progressive contract terminations for local workers are also announced in the mail. The company invokes the force majeure ” so as not to compensate the dismissed employees, but undertakes to “ liquidate the wages due to them “.
A construction worth more than a billion euros
This hydroelectric dam project is nevertheless one of the keys to food security and energy independence in Niger. It should allow the irrigation of 45,000 hectares of land and increase the country’s electricity production by half.
After numerous delays, in particular linked to the covid-19 pandemic, this work costing more than one billion euros was due to enter service in 2025. But with the stoppage of work, its completion risks being further delayed.
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