By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
In its bid to mitigate the impact of natural disaster especially flooding in Kogi state, Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), on Thursday, inaugurated a N420M worth of Erosion Control Project executed in Koton-Karfe, headquarters of Kogi Local Government Area.
Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his Chief of Staff, Simon Tyungu while commissioning the Project at Koton-Karfe Community on Thursday, reiterated President Ahmed Tinubu’s resolve to ameliorate the sufferings of citizens who were affected in one natural disaster or the other.
Senator Akume noted that the establishment of HYPPADEC in Nigeria has come a long way in fulfilment of government’s desire to mitigate the impact of flooding and other natural calamities across communities of its coverage.
He commended the timely completion and quality execution of the project in accordance with job specifications.
The SGF also lauded Kogi state government and Koton-Karfe Community for their support towards the realisation of the erosion control project.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, disclosed that the execution of the project is in line with the commission’s proactive preventive measures against natural disaster challenges across the country.
“There is urgent need for proactive measures to protect our communities against natural calamities as a result of climate change that continue to occur unimaginably”
The MD said that the erosion project just commissioned, was executed in collaboration with the Kogi State Ministry of Environment and that of Ministry of Works to avert possible flooding that continues to occur on yearly basis in Koton-Karfe Community.
Aside flooding, the Managing Director disclosed that the Commission had made its impact felt in construction of health institutions, rehabilitation of rural roads, construction of drainages as well as drilling of boreholes for potable water supply amongst others.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in his speech, affirmed that the erosion control project will no doubt ease the challenge of Koton-Karfe Community in tackling flooding during the rainy season.
Governor Ododo who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Joel Oyibo, praised HYPPADEC for the timely completion of the project before heavy downpour sets in.
He expressed delight that HYPPADEC has been able to find lasting solution to tackle the menace of erosion devastation in Koton-Karfe Community.
Earlier, the Ohimege-Igu of Koton-Karfe, His Royal Majesty, Dr. SA’IDU Akawau Salihu described erosion and flooding as a long age challenge in his domain, saying that the dream to overcome the trend has come with the commissioning of the HYPPADEC erosion control project.
He pleaded for the award of contact for the second phase of the erosion control project in the community.