Lafia, Jan. 22, 2026 (NAN) The Managing- Director, National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, has sought partnership with the Nasarawa State Government to deepen development interventions in hydropower-producing and riverine communities.
Sadiq-Yelwa stated this on Thursday during a courtesy visit to Gov. Abdullahi Sule at the Government House, Lafia.
He commended the state government for its cooperation, which led to the establishment and successful take-off of the N-HYPPADEC State Office in Nasarawa, describing it as a model of inter-governmental synergy in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The managing director recalled that Nasarawa was included in the commission’s mandate in June 2023, alongside Gombe, Taraba and Kaduna, as part of the Federal Government’s effort to extend socio-economic development to communities affected by hydropower activities.
According to him, the inclusion of Nasarawa is strategic due to the flow of River Benue, the Farin Ruwa hydropower corridor and the presence of vulnerable riverine settlements requiring targeted interventions.
Sadiq-Yelwa said that the commission had executed several projects across the state, despite limited resources, to address water scarcity, education, agriculture and environmental challenges.
He disclosed that contracts had been awarded for the construction of 26 solar-powered boreholes across Keffi, Kokona, Toto, Awe, Doma, Keana, Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, Wamba and Lafia Local Government Areas, noting that while some had been completed, others were at various stages of completion.
The MD also said that N-HYPPADEC had awarded contracts for the construction of five blocks of three classrooms in selected primary and secondary schools in Karu, Doma, Nasarawa, Lafia and Toto LGAs to improve learning infrastructure.
He added that 45 power tillers had been procured for distribution to agricultural cooperatives in consultation with the state government to boost mechanised farming and productivity.
Other interventions, according to him, include the desilting and evacuation of 15,000 linear metres of blocked drainages and culverts in Karu, Keffi and Lafia to mitigate flooding, sponsorship of 30 students for NECO external examinations and establishment of plant nursery and propagation activities in Lafia.
Sadiq-Yelwa said the commission was seeking deeper collaboration with the state government, particularly in flood control, environmental protection, education, healthcare and youth empowerment.
He also solicited the state’s support in identifying strategic locations for Area Offices to enhance service delivery in communities directly affected by hydroelectric dam operations.
Responding, Gov. Sule commended the N-HYPPADEC management for its high-impact interventions in the state, particularly in water supply, solar power and agriculture.
He praised the MD’s initiative of visiting project sites and communities to ensure practical and people-oriented solutions, noting that such engagements helped residents appreciate the commission’s role.
Sule expressed satisfaction with the commission’s focus on flood and environmental degradation and called for sustained and expanded interventions, including partnerships in water and power projects.
The governor assured the commission of the state government’s continued support and collaboration to maximise development outcomes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the N-HYPPADEC delegation also paid visits to the Emir of Lafia, Retired Justice Sidi Bage-Muhammad , the Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Aliyu Oga-Onawo, and the Emir of Awe, Alhaji Isa Abubakar-Umar.
The traditional rulers lauded the commission for its intervention projects and pledged their support to ensure the successful execution of its mandate in their domains. (NAN)
