Niger state Governor, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago has called on the National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission N-HYPPADEC, to synchronize its intervention activities with the state government to ensure adequate spread and reach.
The governor said the collaboration was necessary to avoid duplication of intervention activities by the state government and HYPPADEC and to save costs for both parties .
The governor stated this when the management committee of the commission paid him a courtesy call at Government House, Minna.
Governor Umaru Bago said he has observed the lack of harmonization of the policies and programmes of the commission with that of the state which he said has caused duplication of work in affected communities, pointing out that his administration has established ministries and agencies to partner and interface with the commission.
According to him “I have observed with dismay the lack of synchronization of your policies and programmes with that of the state as such, we have created a Ministry for Power and Renewable Energy with terms of reference so that they can interface with the commission.
“You should streamline your programmes with that of the state because it is going to be absurd to find out that you build schools where we are also building schools just because there is no communication, or you provide life jackets or support programmes where we have just done that or food intervention and other interventions.
“Once we synchronize our programmes, we work in tandem with each other and bring out the desired goals that we are looking for “, he said.
The governor said the state being host to four hydro electric dams, with 32 percent revenue accrue to it, the people of the state are not adequately compensated.
He urged the commission to increase its interventions and broadened corporate social responsibility.
The governor thanked his guests for the visit and promised to continue offering the support of the state government to enable the commission achieve its mandate.
The commission, led by its Managing Director, Alh Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, had earlier told the governor the various development interventions the commission had undertaken in the state, particularly in the areas of housing, disaster management, water supply, education, rural energy and support for security agencies in the state.
He disclosed that the governor was a strong proponent of NHYPPADEC as he played an important role in the creation of the commission, revealing that the commission was operating in 17 local government areas in the state with three area offices.
While expressing delight at the conducive working environment and cordial working relationship the commission has been enjoying in Niger state, the MD called on the state government to continue offering its invaluable support for the commission.
He said the commission will continue to give the state utmost priority and agreed with the governor that there was need for the state government and the commission to work closely to achieve the intended objectives of the present administration.
