Set up hydropower commission now to avert flood, Buhari urged

Chairman of the Yauri Emirate Development Association of Kebbi State, Alhaji Abdullahi Yelwa has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to establish the Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) to avert the looming flood disaster along the Niger river. Yelwa made the declaration in an exclusive interview with the Daily Trust on Sunday yesterday in Abuja in relation to its earlier publication, highlighting the payment of royalties to fund the commission by participants in the electricity market since the privatisation of the power sector in November 2013. The Ajiyan Yauri and public affairs commentator said, “This has become more urgent in the light of the warnings that were given about the incoming floods in the states. If this commission has been in place, all these incessant flooding that has happened in many parts of Kebbi, Niger and Kogi, especially in the 2012 infamous flood would have been addressed essentially by it. “We hope the government does not waste any time in bringing this to fruition as we are confident that the President understands the need.” It could be recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the HYPPADEC bill into law in 2013 and was expected to kickstart-immediately. But Yelwa in a clarification said, “Today the amendment Jonathan had asked for has died obviously with the seventh National Assembly. It is now for Mr President Muhammadu Buhari to come to our rescue.”