The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has assured the host communities of the various hydro power plants that it had made provision for solid take of Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC).
The Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, stated this when he received a delegation of the National Youth Movement for the Creation of (NYMC) Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) yesterday in Abuja.
He said the commission was aware of their plight and had already put in place proactive measures, to provide a solid base for HYPPADEC to take off.
He stressed the need for peaceful co-existence between the communities and utility companies in these areas.
“The success of the power plants is tied to the success of the community, therefore, if the plants generates at full capacity, the community benefits,” he said.
The National President of the Movement, Jibril Abdullahi Muregi, addressed the Commission listing a number of key areas they would solicit the Commission’s support for.
He said these include the provision of water resources for the communities affected by power projects, skill acquisition programmes for the indigenes, the employment of indigenous peoples by the companies, lower tariff class for those in the HYPPADEC region and lobby for the take-off of HYPPADEC.
The Movement, which has representatives Kebbi, Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Kogi and Niger states, was formed in 2008 to sensitize and encourage the youths towards the establishment of HYPPADEC.
The Movement played a significant role towards the passage of HYPPADEC bill by the 6th National Assembly in August 2010.
