HYPPADEC Decries Refusal Of Flood-prone Communities To Relocate

Hydro Power Producing Area Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has initiated early warning strategies to avert the flooding of the plains of hydro dams and decried the unwillingness of the communities to relocate.

Consequently, the commission has mobilised traditional leaders and local government chairmen in the affected communities for   grassroot mobilisation ahead of 2023 flood season in the country.

The managing director of HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa at the 2023 Stakeholders Meeting on Flood Mitigation and Other Related Issues in Niger State, said the plan is not to mitigate but to prevent catastrophe from occurring.

Sadiq Yelwa noted that the sensitisation of the people on environmental matters was crucial in mitigating the impact of flooding saying that it was the reason why the effect and casualties of flooding reduced last year.

He called for attitudinal change of the people of the flood affected communities who insist on remaining in their original homes despite the devastation caused by flood.

He said some of the communities cited their economic survival as the main reason that they are always unwilling to move.

The secretary to the state government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane represented by the permanent secretary Ministry of Environment, said the flooding has caused a lot of negative impact on communities, lives and properties in the state, hence the partnership to mitigate the impact of flooding.

Niger State ALGON chairman, Suleiman Yerima applauded the commission’s numerous strides so far and called for more interventions in sectors like health, education, security and agriculture among others.