Niger Hosts HYPPADEC States To Address Critical Challenges

By Abdullberqy Ebbo

Following the challenges experienced by the states that are stakeholders in Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Niger State has called for a meeting to discuss reforms required to actualise the goals of the Commission.

Scheduled to hold in Abuja today, participants are expected to address problems deterring constitution of the Governing Council and appointment of Managing Director of the Commission since the bill establishing it was assented by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010.

Expected at the meeting are the Governors of Plateau, Kogi, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara States, and also senators from these states. Also expected at the meeting are officials from the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

The meeting is also necessitated by the difficulties being experienced by communities in the HYPPADEC  states, noting the power challenges that have frustrated activities in these states.  This is despite the communities accounting for the most of the nation’s hydro-electric power.

Immediate actions are intended to be taken from this meeting, especially on the issue of the takeoff of HYPPADEC to which Niger State has long provided an Office Complex to serve as its Headquarters.