People of Muregi and Ketso communities that have been intermittently displaced as a result of floods and other ecological disasters, will soon breath a sigh of relief as a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 160 units phase one Housing Resettlement Scheme has been held.
The ceremony which was performed by the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello in Muregi, Mokwa Local Government Area, is organised by the Hydroelectric Power Producing Area Development Commission
(HYPPADEC), in collaboration with the state government.
The Housing Resettlement Scheme will cover all the six (6) HYPPADEC states to be funded by the commission.
Performing the foundation laying, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello observed that the shelter when completed, will provide the needed safety to the people.
“Efforts like this will guarantee the safety of lives and property of these communities”, he said.
Recounting the effect of Rivers Kaduna and Niger on several communities, the Governor said the resettlement project is long overdue, and hoped that the project will be completed within the contractual agreement.
He said the state government would work together with HYPPADEC in the provision of basic infrastructure such as roads, adding that electricity provision to Muregi will soon be completed, as he urged the people to protect government installations in their communities for their continued and long-term benefits.
While commending the leadership of HYPPADEC for all its activities in ameliorating the sufferings of people in the riverine communities, the Governor said that a committee will be set up to ensure proper resettlement of the people immediately after the project is completed.
In his address, the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, explained that out of the 160 units, 120 will go to Muregi people while 40 will be to the people of Ketso.
He said they have carried out their needs assessment and professional survey and decided to select the two communities because they have been frequently affected by floods since 2015.
The MD said the construction of the Housing units will gulp about N500Million and each of the units will occupy half of the plot size allocated for it to allow for future expansions.
He disclosed that access roads and earth drains will be constructed at the site to prevent flooding.
According to him, “the entire project shall be carried out using efficient and sustainable construction materials, under the strict supervision of the Commission’s Directorate of Engineering and Technical Services”.
He appreciated the Governor for his unwavering support to the Commission and assured that the first phase will be completed and commissioned before the end of the present administration.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Mokwa local government area, Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, and the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji (Dr) Yahaya Abubakar both commended the intervention of HYPPADEC on the communities which started in 2002.
They prayed that the project will be delivered in good time and also called on the state government to provide them with the basic amenities to ease the daily living of the people.
They appreciated HYPPADEC and Governor Abubakar Sani Bello for all efforts to bring succour to the people and promised to mobilize the people to support the project to achieve the desired result.
The people of the two communities have hitherto suffered untold hardship due to the perennial flooding and ecological disaster ravaging the communities yearly.
Attempts have been made by past administrations to resettle the people but to no avail. However, it is hoped that HYPPADEC; a commission with a mandate to resettle flooding communities among other activities, would achieve that before the peak of this year’s rains.
