Youths in the Hydro-Electric Power Producing Area Development Commission (HYPPADEC) member states, Thursday, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to include the commission in the 2021 budget.
Recall that the HYPPADEC) bill was assented to by the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan on the 10th of August, 2010, but yet to take off 10 years after.
The concerned youths under the auspices of the Coalition of Youth from HYPPADEC member states, also expressed their concern over how successive governments foot-dragged on the project.
The Convener of the coalition, Salis M. Sabo, in a statement sent to Blueprint, also accused the federal government of complacency and vowed that youths in the HYPPADEC member states would stop at nothing to ensure that the commission kicks off soonest.
“First, we commend President Muhammadu Buhari for taking a bold step to nominate members of the Governing Council of HYPPADEC after several appeals over a decade to the government for the immediate take off of the commission which has always been met with a brick wall until the recent breakthrough.
“It is our fervent hope that this is not another cynical attempt to hamstring the youth in the HYPPADEC member states who have been warming up to hit the street recently to further lull us back to customary forgetfulness so that the cosmos merry-go-round will continue.
“It bewilders the mind how successive governments have been foot-dragging on such a life-changing project that has a precedent in the old OMPADEC and now NDDC.
“While our confidence is filled to the brim with the capacities of the candidates nominated by Mr President to constitute the Governing Council to deliver the mandate of the commission considering their direct links with people affected. We want to appeal to the President to capture HYPPADEC in the 2021 budget that will further instill confidence in the mind of the people about the commitment of the government to ensure its speedy take off,” he said.
