The National Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N- HYPPADEC), says it has reviewed by 100 per cent, the contract for the building and reconstruction of Muregi resettlement centre for flood victims in Mokwa.
Its Managing Director, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, disclosed this during his inspection visit to the site to ascertain the level of work and compliance.
He described the job as ”satisfactory, but a little slow”.
According to him, the settlement will actualise the decades of dream by the victims of the flood disaster in the area
He explained that the review became necessary due to the escalating prices of building materials for the expected 200 units of 2-bedroom flats, out of which 120 units were ongoing, with 82 at between 60 and 80 per cent completion.
According to him, the cost of each building now stands at N12 million from the initial N6million.
Sadiq-Yelwa stressed that none of the contractors was being owed by the commission, saying that they were happy with the review and that was why they remained on the site.
The managing director stated that the target was to ensure the completion of the edifice for occupation by the beneficiaries considering NIMET’s and other agencies warning of likely flooding this year.
Sadiq-Yelwa also promised to renovate the residence of the District Head and the Mosque, provide a health facility and a block of classrooms when the buildings were occupied.
He said that the Bida Emirate, Local Government Area and the State Government would be duly informed so as to facilitate smooth allocations to the benefiting communities.
Sadiq-Yelwa stated that the commission’s concern in improving the lives of the people would not be compromised as a preventive and intervention agency.
He stressed that 60 of such housing units would be constructed in Ketso, 50 units in Shiroro with 30 already ongoing, adding that 100 were targeted but for insecurity affecting the projects.
Sadiq Yelwa maintained that 40 of such houses had been completed in Kwara, 40 in Kebbi and 30 in Benue, respectively.
While charging the benefiting communities to take full ownership of the projects, he enjoined them to ensure effective maintenance, sustainability and usage.
He regretted that several lives, properties like houses, livestock and farmlands were lost through annual flooding before the establishment of N-HYPPADEC.
The managing director said that the losses had drastically reduced due to proactive measures, especially the construction of drainages in Koton-Karfe in Kogi and Benue, to avert perennial flooding.”
Sadiq Yelwa, therefore, called on the Federal Government to dredge River Niger to end flooding.
He also called for the completion of the Baro Port.
He said that the projects would improve the Nigerian economy and generate massive employment opportunities.
The Coordinator in charge of the centre, Mr Mohammed Muregi, expressed satisfaction with the intervention of the commission, describing it as overwhelming and sequel to the concern and commitment of the managing director.
He also commended the standard and quality of work done so far that had changed the narrative of providing a permanent home for the people of the community.