The Hydroelectric Power Producing Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has granted a N220 million construction contract for a water channel to address the issue of flooding in Kotonkarfe region of Kogi state.
Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, the Managing Director of the Commission, who revealed this at the handover ceremony to the contractor in Kotonkarfe on Thursday said the commission’s plan to desilt and concrete a 500-meter seasonal stream was in response to the community’s request.
He said the community had highlighted the risks and difficulties faced by the people and commuters caused by annual flooding of the Akpankiti stream that runs through the area.
The Managing Director stated that the Commission swiftly responded and awarded the construction contract for the channel to Atimpsuda Integrated Services after consulting with stakeholders.
”We are here today as a result of our previous visit to this community. When we came, we went around the town and the community complained of the need to open up this place( stream) to prevent frequent floods affecting the drains at the Kotonkarfe end of the Abuja Lokoja highway.
”We quickly organised stakeholders’ meeting, we saw the major problems causing the flooding, which is overstocking the drains and when the waterways are blocked, it is natural that the water will find another way which may cause havoc to the people.” He said
Sadiq-Yelwa noted that project would be completed in eight weeks, with 120 meters of concrete drains and culverts constructed as needed.
Additionally, he pledged to build a designated refuse dump for the community to prevent littering and blockages in the waterway.
“We discovered that erosion has damaged about 600 metres drainage system and blocked by refuse and sand. We are appealing to the locals to desist from dumping of refuse in drainages,” he said.
The Ohimege Igu of Kotonkarfe, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, expressed his gratitude to the management and staff of the commission for their persistent efforts in finding solutions to the challenges faced by his kingdom.
The Paramount ruler went on to express his concerns about the rainy season, which often left the people in fear of losing their property and sources of livelihood due to flooding.
He stated that the commission’s intervention had given hope to his people, and they could now have a respite from the recurring floods.
