Cov/Bilkisu Kambai, Jos
Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) says it is poised to improve the living standard of host communities in areas where hydro dams are located in the country.
Chairman of the Commission Mr Joseph Ityav stated this during inspection of facilities at the Nigeria Electricity Supply Corporation (NESCO) in Kurra Falls, Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Mr Joseph Ityav expressed the commitment of the commission and the Federal Government to make women and youths economically self reliant in the area.
“We are in NESCO to familiarise with the dam, to discuss with host communities on the relationship between the owners of the dam and the community” he explained.
The chairman noted that the commission was wiling to make sure that women and youths in the communities get something to improve their economy to be self reliant.
Also speaking, The Managing Director, HYPPADEC, Alh.Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa said the commission would be working with the communities to provide physical development in the area.
“The President had asked us to come here because he cares about the communities living around hydroelectric power, the Government wants to improve their livelihoods and improve their standard of living.
“We want to find out from the communities what they have on ground now, and how to improve on the relationship between the communities and the power producing Institutions,” Yelwa said.
Responding, the village head of Kurra Falls, Mr Mark Danboyi, said there had been mutual working relationship between HYPPADEC and the community while seeking the intervention of the federal government on persistent flood in the area.
Danboyi said the community had suffered untold hardships such as lack of basic amenities, with their farms and other sources of livelihoods usually destroyed and washed away by dams used to generate electricity during the raining season.
In a speech, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba, while receiving the entourage, appealed to the commission to carry out their assignment dutifully and make a positive change.
He said the community suffers untold hardship, lack basic amenities, and their farms and other sources of livelihoods were usually destroyed and washed away by the dam used in generate electricity during raining season.
Similarly, the deligation paid a visit to the plateau state Governor Simon Bako Lalong to intimate him on the activities of the commissiont and assured him good working relationship with the northern Governors.
Responding, Governor Simon Bako Lalong,asked the commission to ensure that it creates job opportunities to the communities involved.