The Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), in collaboration with an NGO, New Approach Humanitarian Aid Support on Saturday, inaugurated 20 housing shelter units for internally displaced persons in Kuta, headquarters of Shiroro local government area of Niger state.
HYPPADEC’s Managing Director, Abubakar Yelwa said at the inauguration ceremony that the projects would go a long way in addressing the problems accommodation among IDPs in the area.
“The duo made the donation while unveiling of a unique Shelter ‘The Rescue Village’ at Kuta the headquarters of Shiroro local government area,” he said.
He explained that the arrangements had been concluded for the construction of 20 housing units for each member state in the commission as pilot scheme.
According to him, the aim is to provide succour to the IDPs who are constantly affected by annual flooding or bandit attacks, adding that the rescue villages, which would have solar water system and clinics, would serve as second home for the victims,.
Yelwa commended New Approach for their effort to provide soccur to IDPs, describing it as first of its kind in the country.
“The gestures would also serve as safety home for the six states, including Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau,’’ he said.
He said that the commission would handle the sensitisation and provide security while the NAERV would provide structures and other incentives for the projects.
Yelwa further explained that the commission and the New Approach also donated relief items worth millions of Naira to the IDPs in Shiroro local government area.
Yelwa, disclosed that the materials were donated to the recent victims who were displaced due to bandits attack in the area and sympathized with the affected people in the country.
The Managing Director lauded the NGO for its mission aimed at providing succour adding that this is the first of its kind in Africa and Nigeria in particular.
Niger state governor, Abubakar Bello represented by the Secretary to the State Government SSG, Ibrahim Matane applauded HYPPADEC for the intervention.
Matane named the communities affected to include Manta, Galadima Kogo, Alawa, Gwadara Alawa, Gurmana and others by the bandits.
He urging the people in prone flooding areas to take sensitization with seriousness to forestall future occurrence.