HYPPADEC earmarks N900m to rehabilitate Yauri water works

The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has earmarked over N900 million for the reconstruction of Yauri water works in Kebbi.

Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, the managing director of the commission, made this known on Monday while briefing newsmen during an inspection of the 42-year-old water facility.

He said the project would expand access to potable water in Yauri and environs.

The managing director said similar intervention would be extended to other power-producing communities with similar water challenges.

Yelwa said the commission was trying to redeem all the unfulfilled agreements reached with communities when the Kainji dam was constructed.

“Based on the collaborative meeting we had with the Kebbi government, we have pencilled down N900 million now for the project and we are ready to do more as we assess the situation.

“One thing I want to emphasise here is the encouragement and commitment of the state government on this project.

“We are highly motivated by the government’s support and commitment and we are committed to doing the same to other power-producing communities in the area,” he said.

Yelwa said the water works was in a state of dilapidation and would require serious upgrading and replacement of facilities.

He said the commission would meet with stakeholders to analyse all the issues and draw up a line of action, followed by the commencement of the project in the next few weeks.

Earlier, Alhaji Zayyanu Shehu, General Manager of Kebbi Water Board, commended the commission for engaging the services of old staff and engineers who had managed the water works since its opening in the 1980s.

“When the rehabilitation of the project is completed, it will make it easier for the staff on the ground to maintain the facility,” he said.

In his remarks, the Emir of Yauri, Dr Muhammad Zayyanu-Abdullahi, lauded HYPPADEC and its partners for the project.

“The agency is doing humanitarian services to the power-producing communities which have been neglected for many years.