Flood: N-HYPPADEC embarks on needs assessment, community mapping in Kogi

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), is soon to embark on Needs Assessment and Community Mapping Enumeration of flood prone riverine communities in Kogi state.

Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, Managing Director of the Commission said the effort is to drive its interventions in effective provision and distribution of needed infrastructures and other facilities for flood disaster victims.

The Managing Director disclosed this during a visit to the Atta-Igala, His Royal Majesty Matthew Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa in continuation of the Flood Advocacy Sensitization to Idah, Kogi East Senatorial District.

Yelwa who was represented by his Director of Administration and Finance (DAF), Alhaji Haruna Jimoh Gabi said the effort was aimed at assuaging the hardships caused by the floods and as well, uplift the living standard of the flood disaster victims.

“The Need Assessment and Community Mapping Enumeration will enable N-HYPPADEC know facilities that are either lacking or insufficient in various riverine communities for its quick intervention.”

He said that the Commission would commence provision of basic infrastructures such as potable water, health facilities, roads, rural electrification and relief materials in order of needs of the people after the needs assessment and mapping.

“I am assuring you that in the next one week, enumerators will commence work on the project to enable us know relevant facilities the people need in order of their priorities,” he said.

Yelwa urged members of the riverine communities to avail themselves of the opportunity by co-operating with the enumerators for the success of the project.

Responding, the Atta Igala, His Royal Majesty Alaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa, commended N-HYPPADEC for its humanitarian interventions to assuage the plight of the people across the state, especially among flood prone communities in the state.

The Atta-Igala who was represented by one of his chiefs, His Royal Highness Ibrahim Atadoga, the “Inalogu-Atta”of, described the Need Assessment and Community Mapping Enumeration Project as a welcome development.

He assured N-HYPPADEC of cooperation of his subjects towards the realisation of the project.

The Monarch once again, reiterated his call on the Federal Government to construct more dams on Rivers Niger and Benue channels across the country to check the annual flooding of parts of the country. (Ends)