HYPPADEC promises development for Plateau communities

Hope has been raised for rural communities in Gashish district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State as Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) toured the Kura Falls power station owned by the Nigeria Electricity Supply Corporation (NESCO).

Kura falls in Gashish district of Barkin Ladi, which was established in 1928, previously  had its own share of the incessant farmers-herders clashes, where hundreds of lives and property worth billions of naira were lost.

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This led to the decline of economic activities as many of the locals left the area to take refuge in safer communities.

However, with the visit of the HYPPADEC to the area and the promise of economic empowerment,  most residents had their hope raised, believing that the commission would impact positively on their lives and the rural populace.

Speaking during the visit, the chairman, Governing Council of the HYPPADEC, Joseph Terfa Ityev, said their visit was to take an on-the-spot assessment of the area and seek collaboration.

“In continuation of our familiarisation tour we visited Niger State. And we are in Plateau State with the NESCO to familiarise with this dam and discuss with the residents of this community. The mandate of the HYPERDEC is to look at the challenges faced by the residents and the host community.

“The reason we are here is to be able to appraise the relationship between the owners of this dam and have an interface,’’ he said.

In his remarks, the managing director of the commission, Abubakar Sadiq, said members of the Governing Council were set to go to any community and ensure that their lives improve.

“We want to make sure their children go to good schools, and that those who graduate get the opportunity to work.

“We want to make sure that women get something to improve their lives and their current economic activities. We want them to be proud that God has created them in this community,’’ he said.

The representative of the  district head of Gashish, Da Mark Danboyi, said the community experienced flooding every rainy season, which always destroyed their crops.

“I am very impressed with the visit because I see a very high-powered delegation. We want them to intercede for us, most especially in the areas of education and health care. This is because we have been here for decades without social amenities,” he said.