From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna
The Managing Director of National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa has officially assumed office for his 2nd term with an inspection visit to Bida Mana water works, an intervention aimed at ending 15 years of lingering water challenges in Bida town and its environs.
Yelwa, who was reappointed last week has made a deliberate moves to revive Bida Water Scheme, confirmed that significant efforts has been made to 70 percent completion of the project.
The MD who emphasized that his second term will think out of box to get resources to finance some of the interventions to impact positively on the commission’s community through partnership with state governments, NASS, traditional leaders among others rather than relying solely on the federal government.
He noted that the Commission has installed 5MB transformer and connected to 33KVA from abandoned two smaller transformers from 11KVA power line.
He advised that the 2 other smaller transformers to be worked on, the in-take, treatment plant to energized and power for reticulation to enhance effective and efficient service delivery.
According to him, the Commission is to powered the water work which the Niger state government awarded the contract for the reticulation while exploring how the Commission intervened financially to restore efficient water supply to the ancient town
Yelwa assured that N-HYPPADEC ill ensure access to clean and safe portable water remains a priority for the Commission in its commitment to improving the lives of people in host communities, noted that the Muregi and Ketso resettlements centres have been completed for relocation and allocation
Also, the Director General of Niger State Sewage and Water Corporation, Engr. Gimba Jiya Isa applauded the intervention of the N-HYPPADEC, in ensuring the revival of Bida Mana water works after over 14 years out of operations now targeted at over 600,000 population of Bida.
Similarly, the Head of Electrical Division of the commission, Engr. Ibrahim Adamu Haruna revealed that the commission has expended N308 million on the project, noted that the 29 items listed for supply and installation has been completed, that it required integrity test of the two former transformers before power can be energized,
The Managing Director, further paid homage on the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of Niger state traditional rulers Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar in his palace to brief him on the inspection visit and challenges that is halting the completion as scheduled.
Responding, the Etsu Nupe who lamented over years of lack of portable pipe borne water supply to Bida town, commended the efforts of N-HYPPADEC for the Intervention project and assured of support and assist not only for the completion of the ongoing work but the commission’s activity and ensuring the benefitting communities take ownership of the facilities as required.
