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…..As Governor Bello Perform Foundation Laying Ceremony at Muregi, Ketso
From John Adams, Minna
There is sigh of relief for victims of flood disaster in Niger state as Hydro electric Power Producing Area Development Commission (HYPADEC) is set to began the construction of no fewer than 160 units of Housing under its Resettlement Scheme in Muregi and Ketso Communities in Mokwa Local Government Area of the State to reduce the sufferings of the people.
The Housing Resettlement Scheme by the commission will be extended to all the six (6) HYPPADEC states, including Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Kebbi and Kwara ravagaed by flood and to be funded by the commission.
In Muregi and Ketso communities in Niger state for example, over 200 houses were submerged by flood last year alone with over 3,000 people displaced as a result of the flood and other ecological disasters.
The Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello while laying the foundation for the housing units at Muregi and Ketso communities, said the housing units when completed, will provide the needed safety for the people.
The governor pointed out that effort like this will not only guarantee the safety of lives and property of these affected communities, it will reduce their suffering.
Governor Bello while recounting the effect of water from Rivers Kaduna and Niger on several communities in the state said the resettlement project is long overdue as communities along these rivers have suffered untold hardship, adding that “I hoped that the project will be completed within the contractual agreement”.
The Governor gave the assurance that the state government would work together with HYPPADEC in the provision of other basic infrastructures such as roads for the people.
According to him, “Electricity projects to Muregi will soon be completed, I’m advising the people to protect government installations in their communities for their continued and long-term benefits”.
He then commended the leadership of HYPPADEC for all its activities in ameliorating the sufferings of people in the riverside communities, stressing that a committee will be set up to ensure proper resettlement of the people immediately after the project is completed.
Earlier the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa explained that out of the 160 units, 120 will be allocated to Muregi people while 40 units will go to the people of Ketso.
According to him, “We have carried out our needs assessment and professional survey and decided to select the two communities because they have been frequently affected by floods since 2015.
“The construction of the Housing units will gulp about N500Million and each of the units will occupy half of the plot size allocated for it to allow for future expansions.
“The entire project shall be carried out using efficient and sustainable construction materials, under the strict supervision of the Commission’s Directorate of Engineering and Technical Services”.
He assured that the first phase will be completed and commissioned before the end of the present administration.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji (Dr) Yahaya Abubakar and the Chairman of Mokwa local government area, Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, both commended the intervention of HYPPADEC on the communities which have suffered perennial flood disaster since in 2002.
