Boat mishap: HYPPADEC begins distribution of 10,000 life jackets to 6 states

The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has commenced the distribution of 10,000 life jackets to riverine communities in the six hydro power producing states of Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau and Benue.

Flagging off the distribution in Minna, the Niger State capital, the managing director of the commission, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, said the purchase and distribution of life jackets to communities in HYPPADEC states was one of its key mandates to save lives in the face of any incident of boat mishap.

He said several lives had been lost through boat mishaps in Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and Plateau states due to non-availability of life jackets.

He said that of the 10,000 units, 3, 170 units were distributed to the riverine communities in the hydro power producing local government areas of Niger State, pointing out that remaining pieces would be sent to the five states.

“Apart from providing life jackets, the commission had also embarked on cutting and removing logs of trees in the rivers because most boat mishaps we recorded were caused by logs of trees in those waters,” he said.

In response, Oghene said he monitored the elections from the office and only visited some polling units in Ukana about 11am when they received reports of the violence, adding that when they arrived, they saw the polling units scattered, while the electoral officers were not in sight.

Ekpenyong, who later sought for the adjournment of the case for further examination, also prayed for bail extension of the accused on the ground that Prof Uduk has been consistent in court for the proceedings and on time.

Justice Bassey Nkanang approved the bail extension on the existing terms when the prosecution counsel did not object to it.