By YUSUFU IDEGU, Jos

The Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has challenged the Board and Management of the Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC) to work assiduously towards addressing environmental and infrastructural challenges arising from hydropower generation in the country.

Governor Lalong stated this while receiving the Board and Management of the Commission who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Little Rayfield Jos.

According to a statement issued by Dr Simon Makut, the state Director of Press, Lalong said the taking off of HYPADEC is a long overdue expectation that will hopefully address the suffering of the communities located in areas where hydro power is generated across the country.

"He said that the neglect of the areas in the past has led to despondency and suffering which has metamorphosed into criminality and crises such as was witnessed in Kurra Falls and Gashish in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

“Lalong advised the HYPADEC Board and Management to learn from the mistakes of similar Commissions in order to avoid the derailment of the body from its vision and mission.

“The Governor reminded the team that hydropower generation started in Plateau State in the 1920s during the time of tin mining.

“He assured them of the support of the Plateau State Government and the Northern Governors Forum in all their activities.”

Chairman of HYPADEC Governing Council, Hon. Ityav Joseph Tarfa, said they were at the Government House Jos, to thank Governor Lalong for his role in the takeoff of the Commission both as Plateau State Governor and Chairman Northern Governors Forum.

He said the Commission will focus on its mandate and also ensure that communities where power is generated do not only get the necessary attention, but have their environmental and infrastructural needs improved.

The Commission’s delegation later visited some hydropower sites in the state.

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