The Hydro electric Power Producing Area Development Commission HYPADEC is set to construct 160 units Housing Resettlement Scheme in Muregi and Ketso Communities in Niger State, North-Central Nigeria.
The Housing Resettlement Scheme according to report will cover all the six (6) HYPPADEC states to be funded by the commission.
Muregi and Ketso communities have been intermittently displaced as a result of floods and other ecological disasters,
The Governor of the state, Abubakar Sani Bello while laying the foundation for the housing units, observed that the shelter when completed, will provide the needed safety to the people.
“Efforts like this will guarantee the safety of lives and property of these communities,” he said.
Recounting the effect of Rivers Kaduna and Niger on several communities, the Governor said the resettlement project is long overdue, and hoped that the project will be completed within the contractual agreement.
The Governor further said the Niger state government would work together with HYPPADEC in the provision of basic infrastructure such as roads.
“Electricity provision 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.”
While commending the leadership of HYPPADEC for all its activities in ameliorating the sufferings of people in the riverine communities, the Governor said that a committee will be set up to ensure proper resettlement of the people immediately after the project is completed.
The Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa explained that out of the 160 units, 120 will go to Muregi people while 40 will be to the people of Ketso.
“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.”
The Managing Director of the Hydro electric Power Producing Area Development Commission, 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 started in 2002.
The Spokesperson to the Niger state Governor, Mary Noel Berje, in a statement mentioned that the people of the two communities have hitherto suffered untold hardship due to the perennial flooding and ecological disaster ravaging the communities yearly.
She added that attempts have been made in the past to resettle the people but to no avail.
“Hoped that HYPPADEC; a commission with a mandate to resettle flooding communities among other activities, would achieve that before the peak of this year’s rains.“
