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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Managing Director of National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPHADEC), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, has been lauded for the several interventions of the Commission to its catchment communities in Gombe and Taraba states in the North East subregion, particularly through its tailored approaches to addressing local needs.
The commendation was made by the North East Stakeholders Forum for Sustainable Development (NESFSD), through its National Chairman, Alhaji Murtala Sule Jalingo and the Secretary General, Comrade Danladi Bawa Gombe, during a press briefing held in Bauchi.
The Forum stated that, it is commendable, the way N-HYPPADEC, intensified efforts to improve the welfare and livelihoods of host communities in Gombe and Taraba states.
It observed that the efforts have brought ease and hope to the host communities,especially the series of engagements and interventions and the recent visit of the Managing Director to the newly admitted member States in the subregion by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who were admitted in June 2023.
The Forum Chairman commended the Commission’s effort to mitigate ecological damage arising from hydroelectric power operations and to promote sustainable development in host communities.
The Forum Chairman listed several interventions carried out by the Commission in Gombe State that included the supply of 1,100 life jackets, the provision of an operational flying boat to Kupto Community, installation of solar streetlights, construction of solar-powered boreholes, desilting of drainages, construction of classrooms, and support for indigent students through the payment of National Examination Council, NECO, fees.
The Forum further praised the Commission for living up to the objectives of its establishment, noting that unlike many organisations that focus largely on internal development,
N–HYPPADEC prioritised interventions that directly impact people’s daily lives.
It also expressed happiness with the promise made by the Managing Director of delivery of a 33-seater boat and safety facilities.
He described N-HYPPADEC as the headquarters of rural development in Nigeria, citing the scale and impact of its interventions across communities.
He commended the projects executed in Nafada and ranked N-HYPPADEC first, second and third on the scale of productivity among development agencies operating in the area.
Also speaking, Secretary of the Forum, comrade Danladi Bawa Gombe commended the Commission for its efforts to tackle environmental and socio-economic challenges in power-producing communities.
He said that, “We are happy with the visit because the Managing Director is a technocract, he easily recognised the long-standing environmental and social burdens borne by communities hosting hydroelectric facilities.”
He added that, “And the Commission is committed to addressing ecological degradation, flooding, erosion, displacement, and livelihood disruptions associated with hydroelectric dam operations, while promoting sustainable development in affected areas.”
Danladi Bawa Gombe added that, the Forum is happy that since 2024, N-HYPPADEC has executed several projects in Taraba state, including the establishment of a state office in Jalingo, installation of 34 solar-powered streetlights in riverine communities and the state capital, and construction of 15 solar-powered boreholes to improve access to clean water,”
He also stated that Taraba State benefitted with other interventions that included the distribution of 32 power tiller machines to farming cooperatives, provision of two flying boats along the Lau–Karim Lamido and Ibi–Wukari axes to enhance emergency response and mobility.
Others included desilting of blocked drainages and culverts covering about 40,000 linear metres across several local government areas to mitigate flooding, and the Commission supplied and installed transformers in parts of Jalingo and supported education by paying NECO external examination fees for students from power-producing communities.
They commended the Managing Director for making pledged to to deploy two water buses to improve transportation for residents of riverine communities in Taraba State.
The Forum assured the managing director of the continued support of the People of Gombe and Taraba States and appeal to the Managing Director to include all the remaining local Governments in Gombe and Taraba States in its laudable interventions.
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