By Sahel Reporters
The National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) says it would provide two water buses to Taraba State, aiming to address transportation challenges for reverine remote communities in the state.
The Managing Director of the Commission, Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa (Turaki Yauri), announced this plan when he led the management team for a working visit to the state in continuation with its tour to the new member states, including Kaduna, Gombe, Taraba, and Nasarawa.
During a courtesy visit to the state Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas at the TY Danjuma Government House in Jalingo, Yelwa intimated the Governor that the decision to deploy the water buses was following a request by the Aku Uka of Wukari, His Majesty Dr Manu Ishaku Ada Ali, whom they earlier visited in his palace.
He also informed the governor that N-HYPPADEC had already delivered two operational flying boats along the Lau–Karim-Lamido and Ibi–Wukari axes to enhance emergency response and mobility.
The water buses, each with a capacity of 33 passengers, as he said, when provided, would address similar challenges in other communities.
The MD highlighted interventions that the commission provided to the state, “We undertook extensive desilting and evacuation of blocked drainages and culverts, covering approximately forty thousand linear metres across Wukari, Takum, Ibi, Ardo-Kola, Karim-Lamido, Jalingo, Yorro and Lau, with a view to mitigating flooding and reducing environmental risks,” he added.
Additional projects executed in Taraba State, according to the Managing Director, include the supply and installation of transformers in Jalingo.
He added that the commission has also supported education by covering NECO external examination fees for candidates from power-producing communities.
Alhaji Yelwa further explained that despite the remarkable successes recorded, the commission remains “more mindful of how much remains to be done.”
The Managing Director also clarified that the commission does not operate in all local government areas of its member states, but in specific communities directly affected by hydroelectric dam operations.
In his remarks, Governor Agbu Kefas, expressed his sincere gratitude to the Managing Director and his team for the visit and the achievements recorded so far.
He advocated coordination and mutual respect in the implementation of the commission’s projects to improve the living standards of affected communities.
Governor Kefas also noted that Taraba State is central to Nigeria’s energy resources and called for concerted efforts to harness them effectively.
He lauded the commission under the leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa for its various interventions in key areas of the state, while reiterating his administration’s commitment to educational development through reforms and infrastructure.
The Governor also commended the integrity demonstrated by the commission’s management and called for greater synergy to achieve the desired objectives.
However, the team also visited the palace of His Royal Highness the Chief of Wurkum Kingdom, Alhaji Abubakar Haruna, Wurkim II, and the Galadiman Muri, who is the District Head of Jalingo, Alhaji Abba Tukur as part of extended community familiarization and engagement initiatives of the MD.
