By joshua 
The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), has commissioned a newly built office in Kogi State, with a promise by the Managing Director, Arch. Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa of more interventions in the coming days by the Commission.
Arch. Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa gave the assurances of more interventions at the official commission of Kogi newly built State Office of HYPPADEC, assured that the Commission owing to popular demand is set to commence Medical Outreaches across all HYPPADEC Local Government Areas in the Country.
The Managing Director urged Nigerians to expect more from the Commission, promising to do more in the several interventions that would improve on their well-being, described the Commission as committed to doing things differently.
The Managing Director disclosed that the commission has begun
Identifying Communities in the ten HYPPADEC LGAs of Kogi State for improvement in their health need, added that the Commission has commenced study in the riverine communities to ascertain the major challenges as it affect health facilities in the area, with a view to addressing one health facility in each LGA.
The Managing Director said more students in the HYPPADEC LGAS are to benefit from the Commission’s scholarship scheme, directed Community relations department of the Commission to improve on projects and interventions that would benefit the people.
On the Youth Transformation Program of the Commission, Arch. Abubakar disclosed that the Commission is mulling to support those who have participated and graduated in the skills acquisition training of the Commission with a view to supporting them to start life and own businesses of their own.
Similarly on Flood management, the Managing Director said regarding series of warning by Nigerian Meteorological Agency
(NIMET) for the 2023 flooding in the country, said the Commission is working on finding a lasting solution that would tackle the gridlock usually witnessed in Kotonkarfe, Kogi LGA of the State.
Towards mitigating the impact of the 2023 flood on the road if it occurs, a road the Managing Director described as a gateway linking the North and Southern part of Nigeria, efforts he explained is on to avert the difficulties faced by commuters from the flood that usually cut off the road.
Arch. Abubakar added added that aside providing solar powered lights to communities in the State in the past, the Commission he disclosed is working to provide electricity to about 200 communities in the State in 2023, assuring that the Commission is set to do more for people of the State in 2023.
Arch. Abubakar praised the Kogi State Government for facilitating the first State office for HYPPADEC in the Country, said the Commission is also working on having an office in the State in the next five years that would accommodate and have a facility for youth training facility when the Commission build it permanent complex.
Arch. Abubakar appreciated the Kogi State Government for it prompt response to HYPPADEC since the Commission was established in the State, added that the efforts of Gov. Yahaya Bello led to the signing into Law of the Commission in 2010, praised the Governor for making the commission effective in the State.
Speaking at the Occasion, Hon. Victor Omofaiye, Kogi State Commissioner For Environment, described HYPPADEC as a household name in the State, praised the Commission for affecting the lives of citizens living in ten LGAs of the State.
Hon. Omofaiye who represented Gov. Yahaya Bello at the occasion, listed areas of empowerment, improving lots of citizens in education, infrastructure development, praised HYPPADEC for the intervention in Kotonkarfe, noted that when achieved, will change the narratives of flooding that usually affect that area of the State, leading to the gridlock and making the road impassable.
Hon. Omofaiye described the Commissioning of the HYPPADEC office in the State with the support of Gov Yahaya Bello, as a dream come true, added that Kogi State is proud of HYPPADEC.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Lokoja LGA, Hon. Mohammed Danasabe Mohammed, said history has been made with the Commissioning of HYPPADEC office in the State, acknowledged that the Commission has touched lives in many positive ways, by helping to reduce youth restiveness, through job creation, empowerment and reducing issues of insecurity.
Speaking at the occasion, the Ata Igala, Mathew Opaluwa, Represented by the Ejeh Ofu, as well as the Ohimege Igu Kotonkarfe, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa Koto, described the presence of HYPPADEC in the State as the greatest thing ever to happen to the State.
The Traditional Rulers praised the efforts of HYPPADEC in supporting the State in flood management, community engagement, health sector intervention, youth empowerment, security, education, maintained that the riverine communities in the State remains grateful for the intervention by the Commission.
Earlier in a welcome remarks, the Kogi State Co-ordinator of HYPPADEC, Engr. Mrs Joan Oguche, thanked the Governing Council of HYPPADEC for making Kogi State to be the first beneficiary of owning an office, described the feat as the love by the MD and Gov. Yahaya Bello for providing a befitting accomodation for the Commission in the State, assured that the Commission will reciprocate the gesture through hard work, will continue to do more to improve on the well-being of the people of the State.
Hon. Philip Orebiyi, on behalf of parents and
Hajia Umar Rabi Manati, NDE Tailoring beneficiary, facilitated by HYPPADEC, praised the Commission for the educational support and skills acquisition made possible by the Commission in the State.
The Highlights of the occasion was the Commissioning of the HYPPADEC State office by Alhaji Ozi Salami, Member of HYPPADEC Governing Council, assured that the Commission will continue to promote and to support local content.
He assured that Kogi State should be rest assured of more interventions by the Commission, praised the Managing Director of the Commission, Arch. Abubakar for his emphasis on capacity building and for providing conducive working environment for staff.