We’ll continue supporting all federal establishments – Gov. Bello
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has reiterated his administration’s readiness to continue supporting all federal establishments in the state for effective service delivery to the people.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mary Noel-Berje, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State.
Governor Sani Bello stated this when he inaugurated the Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) Office complex in Minna, named after Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta.
Governor Sani Bello who also presented twelve operational vehicles to area Offices of the Commission said the take-off of the Commission has brought lots of relief particular to the riverine communities in the state who hitherto had been subjected to untold hardship ranging from loss of lives, livelihoods and environmental degradation as a result of the activities of the Hydro dams.
He expressed optimism that the office complex will help in the timely planning and management of all the recurring challenges faced by the affected communities, especially those downstream.
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He said: “I am also very aware of the Commission’s various engagements with those communities that are prone to perennial flooding on the corridors of the electricity generating dams. May I urge the commission to do more in this direction and to always ensure that those affected benefit more from the scheme as it will no doubt alleviate their sufferings and stimulate economic growth”.
While acknowledging the efforts of the management team of the Commission led by the Managing Director, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, for interventions, the Governor urged them to sustain a maintenance culture of the building and the operational vehicles.
He said: “To whom much is given much equally is expected, let me appeal to the Commission to develop a robust monitoring mechanism to track its activities across the states of HYPPADEC for proper and judicious use of public resources.
The Governor then directed that the SSG and the Commissioner for Lands ensure that necessary arrangements are made to hand over the adjourning land to the office, to the Commission.
Earlier, the Chairman, Governing Council of HYPPADEC Barrister Joseph Terfa Ityav, explained that the Commission which commenced full operation in 2021, was established to address ecological and Socio-economic challenges arising from the construction and operations of Hydroelectric Dams in the six member states of Niger, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi and Plateau, adding that the commission has so far recorded tremendous successes.
Barrister Ityav attributed the successes of the Commission to the conducive environment provided by the Governors of the six member states who are members of the Advisory Committee of the Commission, pointing out that Niger State has remained at the forefront from the time of struggle for the establishment of the Commission to its take-off.
He also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari, Members of the National Assembly and all those who contributed to making the Commission a reality.
In his address, the Managing Director, HYPPADEC, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa who recounted how the Bill for the establishment of the Commission was proposed by the late Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta in 2005 and signed into law in 2010, said the act was amended in 2013 and 2018 respectively before its commencement in 2021.
He disclosed that the Commission has opened a liaison office in Asokoro, Abuja to address the needs of bilateral partners of the Commission and to ease the activities of some of their staff in the Nation’s capital.
Sadiq Yelwa added that the Commission has six State offices located in the State Capitals, with 12 area Offices spread across the six member states.
The Managing Director appreciated Governor Sani Bello for donating a guest house, which accommodates him and other Directorates, an office facility which was renovated by the Commission to serve as the Commission’s Head Office and the adjourning land for the Commission to build additional office blocks for its staff.
