The joy of Yelwa-Yauri residents in Kebbi state knew no bounds recently when the town’s water scheme abandoned for over 30 years ago came alive due to the intervention of N-HYPPADEC. MUHAMMAD SADIKU ABDULLAHI reports.
Many communities in the North-west of the country especially along the bank of River Niger had for years suffered from lack of potable water despite their proximity to the largest water volume in the country.
Successive administrations in the country had always paid lip service to this ingrained desire of the people to enjoy clean water, but at every election times, it was always used as a campaign slogan by public office seekers. Sadly after elections, they forget their promise and so residents in those areas had lived for years without good drinking water.
N-HYPPADEC intervention
That trend however changed lately for Yelwa-Yauri as the intervention came calling and like a thief in the night, the miracle happened unexpectedly. Today, tap water flows in the town like never before.
Thousands of inhabitants of Yelwa-Yauri in Kebbi state were among the largest communities displaced by the construction of the Kainji Hydroelectric Dam, completed in early 70s. The dam is considered the biggest power plant in Nigeria.
Such displacement was accompanied by some major inconveniences among which were resettlement problem and provision of social amenities, especially water to drink.
In recognition of the attendant hardship, the federal government through an Act of the National Assembly in 2010 established the National-Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, (N-HYPPADEC).
Primarily, NHYPPADEC is saddled with the responsibility of addressing ecological challenges from the operations of hydroelectric dams.
The commission has the mandate to cushion the ecological, socio-economic and psychological effect of the dams on communities that suffered great deal of imbalances from the projects without commensurate rewards to bridge the gap created in their lives.
This has been the pitiable situation of the people of Yauri Emirate who live by the river bank of River Niger, but had endured lack of potable, drinking water for 30 years until the intervention of HYPPADEC which rehabilitated the dormant Yauri water scheme in order to bring succour to the residents.
Precisely on Thursday, October 24 2024, the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, N-HYPPADEC handed over the water scheme rehabilitated by the commission to the tune of two billion naira to Kebbi state government.
It could be recalled that due to the overwhelming cry for intervention and inability of past administrations in the state address the problem alone, HYPPADEC began work two years ago resulting in the restoration of clean tap water supply to Yauri and its environs just recently.
N-HYPPADEC boss speaks
At the ceremony in Yauri, the managing director of N-HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, (Katukan Yauri) informed the gathering that the rehabilitation work was carried out in collaboration with the state government.
While speaking he said, “I am also thanking the Emir of Yauri for his royal blessings towards the success of the scheme as the monarch provided the necessary moral support and fervent prayers that saw us through.
“During our familiarisation tour in 2021 here in Yauri, His Royal Highness asked the commission to look into the urgent need of reviving the town’s water works. Water supply is a critical component of the Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Therefore, the administration places high premium on improving the quality of life of the citizenry.
“The rehabilitated Yauri Water Scheme would ensure safe and good drinking water with consistent supply to households, businesses and institutions,
“HYPPADEC spent about N2 billion on comprehensive overhaul of the water scheme for optimal performance and sustainability,” the NHYPPADEC boss noted.
He used the opportunity to commend the state governor, Nasir Idris for directing the state Ministry of Water Resources and Kebbi State Water Board to collaborate with HYPPADEC towards the success of the project.
“The scope of work was extensive; the storage tank was significantly expanded to enhance capacity and we procured enough quantity of water treatment chemicals.
“The distribution network has been expanded to reach all residents in Yauri and neighbouring communities; therefore HYPPADEC is appealing to the state government to ensure proper maintenance of the facility for longevity,” Yelwa remarked.
Gov Idris commends N-HYPPADEC
In an address read by the speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Muhammad Usman Zuru, Governor Nasir Idris commended HYPPADEC for playing pivotal role in water supply to communities.
He said, “Water is a highly important ingredient of life and my administration would continue to prioritise water supply through access to clean water for the benefit of our people.
“As Yauri people take over ownership of the new water scheme, we must ensure its protection,” the governor said.
Water supply improves life – Akume
Commissioning the project, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr George Akume, represented by his Chief of Staff, Simeon Ngwu, described the water scheme as a significant giant stride of President Tinubu to improve the well-being of hydro-power producing communities.
The SGF recalled that inhabitants of Yelwa-Yauri were the largest community to be resettled following the construction of Kainji Dam because it required special intervention.
“The water works in New Bussa has already been commissioned in August, and today we are doing the same for Yauri. “Water supply improves health, sanitation and economic empowerment. Reliable access to water is also liberty for families while local businesses which rely on water would have increased productivity,” the SGF remarked.
Royal appreciation
The Emir of Yauri, Dr Muhammadu Zayyanu Abdullahi thanked the federal government through HYPPADEC for providing a new lease of life to the people of his domain through the rehabilitation of the dormant water scheme which denied the inhabitants pipe-bone water for over 30 years.
“I am also appealing to the federal government to fulfill all promises made to the people of Yauri following the construction of the Kainji Hydroelectric Dam that started in late 60s and completed in early 70s, some of such pledges are still pending”, the Emir emphasised.
Residents of Yauri were all smiles about the benevolence of HYPPADEC for the rehabilitation of the water scheme.
In a chorus remarks they said, “Manna has fallen from heaven! Whoever brings water has resuscitated life. We feel like born again; a new lease of life begins as economic prosperity beckons”, just as the inhabitants thanked HYPPADEC.
As it has happened for this town in Kebbi state, so are other locations within the catchment areas of N-YHPPADEC so that Nigerians can truly say that the Renewed Hope agenda of the current administration is not just a slogan, but a reality.
