Managing Director, (HYPPADEC), Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, disclosed this while on an inspection tour of Ibaji Local Council to identify problems associated with its environmental crisis and possible areas of assistance.
He met with the Ata Igala, Alhaji Matthew Oguche-Akpa at his Palace in Idah and Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area Traditional Council, Chief John Egwemi at Onyedega, headquarters of Ibaji to deliberate on how to achieve the success of HYPPADEC intervention scheme in their domains.
Yelwa, who was in company of his management team, said “findings of HYPPADEC revealed that the communities, for decades, suffered untold hardship.
“The issues range from lack of access roads to inability to carry out development in the zone, as a result of the impact of natural disaster, such as heavy flooding and erosion menace being experienced on yearly basis. This terrible situation placed Ibaji LGA in a disadvantage position in terms of natural calamities more than other HYPPADEC member communities in Kogi State, hence, our consideration to focus more in giving special attention and assistance to the zone.
“We will make an impact in the area of road rehabilitation, provision of boreholes and mitigation of devastating flooding, among others, to boost socio economic activities and improve on living conditions of the people.
“So far, 1,800 communities benefited from our intervention programme across the country and we are glad that we made significant impact to cushion the effect of difficulties faced by HYPPADEC member communities.”
In his speech, the Ata Igala, Alhaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa, commended HYPPADEC for its quick intervention in the plight of victims of last year’s flooding in Kogi State where four local councils were beneficiaries.
In his remarks, the Eje Ibaji and Chairman of Ibaji LGA traditional council, Chief John Egwemi, identified dredging of River Niger and construction of more dams to effectively tackle tflooding in the country.
He said the establishment of HYPPDEC is a blessing to riverine communities and lauded the agency for its numerous assistance to the people of Ibaji during difficult times.
