N-HYPPADEC sets to distribute starter packs to 5,079 trained graduates

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

National Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has concluded plans to commence the distribution of starter packs to its trained 5,079 graduates under Youth Transformation Programme of the commission.
The Managing Director, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa made the disclosure at a critical meeting with the 10 State Commissioners of youth and National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) leaders of the states of the commission in Minna.
Yelwa said, the meeting was aimed at setting a policy framework for youth development in the 10 states of the N- HYPPADEC states but the current distribution of starter packs is for the 6 first states while the new four states will be captured in the future programmes.
He reiterated the commitment of the body in the fulfilment of its mandates hence the need training and skills acquisition programmes in 33 vocational training scheme for the unemployed youths.
The MD opined that in 2022 when the Commission began operations, empowerment and job creation have been the major targets.howrver understood that unemployment has been one of the major factors adversely affecting the lives of youths in the power-producing areas of the country
According to him, the first edition of the programme was completed this year and planning to begin the distribution of starter packs to the beneficiaries to be flagged off by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, hence engagement of the 10 member state commissiones to chart out ways of arranging the distribution of the starter packs for beneficiaries in the six (6) pioneer member states.
Yelwa hinted that the Commission took off nearly three years ago, our operations were limited to six member states of Benue, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger and Plateau States. However, with the signing of the 2023 Electricity Act by Mr. President, the scope of the Commission was expanded to accommodate Gombe, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Taraba States, as well as all the non-hydroelectric power-producing areas across the country.
He revealed that in the six pioneer member states in operate in over 1,800 communities across 55 LGAs. As for the new member states, they are still working on identifying the communities in which they would limit their operations.
Benue state commissioner of youth, sports and creativity, Mr Dekimi Ikeng in an interview called for the expansion of the commission’s scope and advocate for more funds in order to carryout the enormous tasks ahead of N-HYPPADEC.