By Abdullahi Lukman
The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has called for partnership with the Taraba State Government to strengthen ecological and developmental interventions in communities affected by hydroelectric dam operations.
The Managing Director of the commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the commission’s management team to Governor Agbu Kefas in Jalingo last Friday.
Sadiq said N-HYPPADEC was committed to addressing environmental degradation caused by dam activities while promoting sustainable socio-economic development in host communities.
He said the commission had carried out several social and infrastructural projects across Wukari, Takum, Ibi, Ardo-Kola, Karim-Lamido, Jalingo, Yorro and Lau local government areas.
The MD said the interventions include the installation of 34 solar-powered streetlights since 2024, construction of 15 solar-powered boreholes, and distribution of 32 power tillers to farming cooperatives to boost agricultural productivity.
He also disclosed that two flying boats had been deployed along the Lau–Karim-Lamido and Ibi–Wukari river routes to improve transportation and emergency response, while two water buses with a capacity of 34 passengers each would soon be delivered on the Ibi–Wukari axis.
Other projects carried out by the commission, he said, include drainage desilting works, transformer installations and the payment of NECO examination fees for candidates.
Sadiq welcomed the inclusion of Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe and Nasarawa states in N-HYPPADEC in June 2023, describing it as recognition of the environmental and social challenges faced by communities hosting hydroelectric power facilities.
Responding, Governor Kefas commended President Bola Tinubu for admitting Taraba into the commission and assured N-HYPPADEC of the state government’s cooperation in initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of residents.
Earlier, the N-HYPPADEC delegation visited the Aku Uka of Wukari, Dr. Manu Ali, who praised the commission for its development efforts in the state.
