By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has undertaken a Management Post-Evaluation exercise of its projects across communities in 10 Local Government Areas in Kogi state commending communities for taking ownership of the projects.

Nura Tanko Wakili, the Team Lead while addressing newsmen at the end of the exercise commended the N-HYPPADEC catchment communities in Kogi state for taking ownership and utilizing the projects cited in their areas described their zeal as “heart-warming.”

Nura who is also the Head of Press and Public Affairs in the Commission, said that the wholesome acceptance of the Commission’s projects by the communities was not unexpected having from the onset involved the the benefitting communities.

“In N-HYPPADEC, we believe in Community-Driven Development Approach. In Whatever we are doing. We always use our slogan of Bottom-Top approach. We ensure that communities are carried along.

“That’s why we have what we call Needs Assessment. In 2021 when we came on board we conducted needs assessment to identify those areas that are the priorities of these communities for interventions.

“Just recently in this 2024,
we conducted another round of needs assessment and after collecting the data, we don’t go to our offices, sit down and plan on the available data.

“No, we engage the communities to ascertain whether the data captured by our enumerators is what represents the interest of these communities”, he explained.

Nura said that N-HYPPADEC embarked on the Management Post-Evaluation exercise as an intervention agency, to ensure that projects executed by the commission met the purpose for which they were cited in the communities.

“These are communities that are in one way or the other affected by the construction and operations of hydroelectric dams in Nigeria.

“We started operations in six states of Benue, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Kwara and We are now in Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Taraba states”, he said.

Speaking in same vein, Mr Lee Ahenjir, Head, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Commission, said, “So far, we are extremely impressed with what we have been able to achieve in the short period of time the commission has been working.

“What we are trying to achieve in the PRS as data bankers for the Commission, through this exercise, is to gather data of the mileage the commission has been able to accomplish over these three and a half years.

“When communities take ownership of the projects,
we also support them by coming up with a maintenance budget so that the project will last and stand the test of time”, Ahenjir said.

Mr Umar Ibrahim, a community teacher at LGEA, Kumgbani in Lokoja Local Government expressed the people’s gratitude to N-HYPPADEC for the intervention in constructing a block of three classrooms saying enrollment had increased from 50 to 120 pupils.

At Community Girls’ Secondary School, Koton-Karfe, a staff of the school, Mr Zubairu Mohammed said that N-HYPPADEC’s intervention in providing classrooms and other equipment, had led to improved enrollment with its present 230 students population.

The N-HYPPADEC team assured the communities that the Needs Assessment for further interventions has been carried out with assurances of more life-changing projects. (Ends)

***Calls for Immediate Safety Reforms

The Senator representing Kogi East in the National Assembly, Jibrin Isah Echocho has sent a message of condolence to the families affected by the recent boat mishap on the River Niger.
The boat incident had claimed the lives of many market women traveling from the state to neighboring Niger State.

In a statement personally signed by the senator, Echocho conveyed profound sympathy, urging the bereaved to find solace in the face of the devastating tragedy.
He offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the deceased and comfort for the grieving families.

The accident, confirmed by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), occurred along the Dambo-Ebuchi corridor of the River Niger, a major commercial route.
While investigations are ongoing to determine the cause, the tragedy has intensified concerns about waterway transportation safety in the region.

Senator Echocho expressed alarm over the frequency of such incidents, stressing the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures.
“The waterway connecting Kogi and Niger states has become perilous. Authorities must act swiftly to implement stringent safety protocols to prevent further loss of lives,” he urged.

He called on the government to prioritize the safety of those who depend on water transport, advocating for better infrastructure, stricter regulations, and more effective enforcement of safety standards.

Echocho also assured the victims’ families that the Kogi State government, in collaboration with federal agencies, would provide necessary support to those affected.
He emphasized the importance of community and government cooperation in helping the victims heal and rebuild.

The senator’s message comes as Kogi State continues to mourn the loss of lives, with citizens and leaders offering solidarity and support to the affected families.

The Kogi State government has pledged to assist the victims’ families and to work closely with relevant federal bodies to enhance water transport safety, ensuring that such a tragedy does not occur again.

This incident has reignited national calls for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s waterway safety regulations, as communities demand action to prevent future disasters.

The Igala Youth Council (IYC) has strongly condemned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for listing the Igala nation as part of the proposed “United States of Biafra.” The IYC’s stance was made clear during an emergency meeting held on December 1, 2024, in response to a viral video in which IPOB outlined its vision for a 40-state Biafran nation.

In a statement, the IYC’s National Publicity Secretary, Michael Achor Joshua, criticized IPOB for failing to consult the Igala people, emphasizing that the Igala nation firmly rejects any inclusion in IPOB’s secessionist agenda. “We were not invited to any discussions, nor do we support IPOB’s ambitions. Our focus is on achieving good governance within the Nigerian state, not being drawn into what we consider madness,” Joshua declared.

The IYC urged all Igala people worldwide to ignore IPOB’s claims and continue with their lawful pursuits. The council stressed that the Igala nation remains committed to the unity and development of Nigeria.

IPOB’s inclusion of the Igala nation has sparked widespread controversy. The group, which advocates for the secession of the Southeast and other regions from Nigeria, has faced criticism for its disruptive tactics, including the imposition of a weekly “sit-at-home” order that has adversely affected the economy and daily life in the Southeast.

The IYC’s statement reflects growing resistance to IPOB’s secessionist agenda, with the council reiterating its commitment to national unity and peace.