By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
HYDROELECTRIC Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPDEC) has presented foodstuffs and clothing to communities in the 10 member Local Government Areas in Kogi State.
Alhaji Isah Ozi-Salami, Member representing Kogi on the Board of HYPPDEC, who presented the items to Governor Yahaya on Tuesday in Lokoja said it was to cushion the harrowing hardships imposed by the Federal Government cashless policy.
He said that the gesture was part of the Commission’s response to natural disaster or any form of hardship assailing the citizens, with a view to intervening to alleviate their suffering.
The items include 400 bags of rice, 250 gallons of vegetable oil and some packaged women wrappers.
The Board member reiterated the resolve of HYPPDEC towards tackling the prevailing economic hardship on Nigerians culminating from the Cashless Policy.
“We owe it as a duty to take adquate care of the people in the 10 Local Government Areas belonging to HYPPDEC communities in Kogi
“Our concern under the present economic hardship is to alleviate the sufferings of the people within HYPPDEC communities in Kogi State”, Ozi-Salami told Governor Bello.
He commended Governor Yahaya Bello for providing logistic supports that had facilitated the smooth operation of the Commission in Kogi.
He also told the Governor that HYPPDEC would soon begin the construction of a 50-Unit housing in Kogi for resettlement of last year’s flood victims in riverine communities.
“I appreciate Governor Bello’s magnanimity in providing land for the housing project. We expect Governor to perform the foundation laying ceremony of the project soon,” Ozi-Salami disclosed.
In his response, Governor Bello who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Pharm. Jamiu Asuku received the items for onward distribution to the communities.
Bello hinted that the state government would key into HYPPDEC’s intervention initiative in the areas of provision of food and security of lives and property to assuage the suffering of the citizens.
The governor however appealed to HYPPDEC to focus more on Ibaji Local Government Area in its intervention programmes in view of the terrible terrain peculiar to the area.