The Federal government says all has been set in motion to ensure swift take-off of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, HYPPADEC, in order to address the perennial challenge of flooding and manage other ecological menace ravaging the people in the areas.
According to a statement by the spokesperson, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, a copy of which was mailed to Ashenewsonline on Saturday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made this known in Argungu while paying a sympathy visit to the people of Kebbi state, that were recently affected by flood.
According to the Minister, in the recent past, Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Plateau and similar states of the federation, have been experiencing annual flooding of the River Niger and its tributaries of
the three hydro-electricity dams in Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro resulting to unquantifiable afflictions including loss of lives, property, agricultural produce, land degradation, shelters, farms and environments.
According to the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (Establishment, Etc,) Act, 2010 (No. 87 of 2010), the Commission shall, among other things: “(a) formulate policies and guidelines for the development of hydroelectric power producing areas; (b) carry out a survey of hydroelectric power producing areas in order to ascertain measures which arc necessary to promote its physical development; (c) prepare schemes designed to promote the physical developments of
the hydroelectric power producing areas: (d) implement all measures approved for development of hydroelectric power producing areas by the Federal Government; and (e) tackle ecological problems that arise from overloading of dams in the hydroelectric power producing areas and advise Federal and State Governments on the prevention and control of floods and environmental hazards.”
Malami who sympathized with the people, the emir and the emirates over the incident, prayed for Allah’s intervention against reoccurrence of such experience.
The Minister, in collaboration with his two non-governmental organizations, handed over a cash donation of N5 million and N1 million to Argungu and Augie communities, respectively and promised that his two Non-Governmental Organizations of Kadi Malami Foundation and Khadimiyya for Justice and Development, will directly reach out to the affected communities and offer them humanitarian support and assistance.
