The Kwara State Government has recently handed over a N613 million National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) to Patigi community, reiterating commitments to prioritising welfare of Kwarans, with desired infrastructural facilities, that will have direct impact on people’s lives.

The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq stated this, during the week, at the official commissioning ceremony of N-HYPPADEC, Patigi Erosion Control projects, in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The Governor affirmed that, “our government’s priority is people’s welfare. Therefore, today is another landmark achievements in our collective efforts to address challenges posed by the extreme weather events and natural disasters, particularly in Kwara State.”

ROYAL NEWS gathered it is an initiative of the Federal Government, through National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), to mitigate the effect of climate change that has been making many residents vulnerable”.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who was represented by the state Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, said “wth the inauguration of this critical infrastructure and the commitment of the Commission to replicate efforts like this in other parts of the state, we can look forward to a future where the spectre of devastating floods and erosion no longer loom, over our communities. This project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and our modest commitment to a safer environment in Kwara State. It is one of the several markers signifying that we are moving into a new era of resilience and progress for our nation.”

AbdulRazaq further revealed that the state government is similarly pursuing the dredging of River Niger, which we think will go a long way to tackle the perennial flooding, as well as open up new opportunities in this axis of the state.

He therefore appealed to residents to actively participate in the maintenance and upkeep of the infrastructure, for coming generations to benefit from it.

He charged Patigi community to avoid activities that could compromise the integrity of this vital infrastructure, such as dumping of refuse in water ways, for us to be able to protect our community from the threat of future floods and preserve the legacy of progress that we have worked so hard to achieve.

“I urge all community Leaders and youth organisations to remain vigilant and proactive by ensuring that this project remains effective and operational.”

The Governor thanked N-HYPPADEC team for their exemplary leadership and commitments to the welfare of the people as well as the Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, his people, for the wonderful reception accorded the team, during the execution of this project.

In his remarks, the Chairman House Committee to N-HYPPADEC, Hon. Pascal Agbodike, PHD urged residents and indeed Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his untiring efforts to improve the lots of the masses.

The Chairman, who was represented by the honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jemilat Bio Ibrahim at the event assured the monarch and other stakeholders that she would try her best as a Minister from the state to provide gainful employment to the youths.

Earlier, in his welcome address,
the Managing Director of the Commission, Abubakar Yelwa, said that the project was driven by the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the aim of to attending to urgent needs of the people.

According to him, ” the project is a heavily cemented wide drainage which had been constructed to perfectly control the hitherto troubled water, while the erosion areas had been thickly sandfilled, to make the affected areas even now motorable and also to
improve lives, safeguard environment and harness natural gifts.

The N-HYPPADEC boss, commended the commitment and support the team enjoyed from the community and enjoined them to take ownership of the project from being vandalised and ensure appropriate maintenance.

Mr Yelwa however disclosed that, the commission was also on various life-changing projects across states, appreciating the support of the community, which according to him made easy, the project completion, with an appeal to them to take ownership of the project and ensure appropriate maintenance.

Appreciating Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on various laudable achievements across the state and Patigi Community in particular, the Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, reaffirmed that the project will ameliorate the suffering of the people of this community where flooding often affected our school buildings, hospital facilities, farms and others.

He however urged government through the Minister for Youth Development, Dr. Jemila Bio Ibrahim, to provide youths with gainful employment, most especially, Kwara North youths that you are representing.

“You’re holding the flag of Kwara North. This is your constituency. Try and do your best possible to provide gainful employment to youths, in order to feel your impact in this government. Everybody has his responsibility, therefore, no one should be seen found wanting, in discharging his/her responsibility.”