The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPADEC) has pledged to support the completion of a police station initiated by the Lere Development Association.

The commission also pledged to expand interventions aimed at improving the livelihoods of residents.

The Managing Director of N-HYPADEC, Abubakar Yelwa, gave the assurance on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Lere, Suleiman Umar Lere, as part of the commission’s familiarisation tour of communities affected by its activities.

Mr Yelwa said the visit was to engage with stakeholders, assess the needs of riverine communities and gather information that would guide the commission’s intervention plans.

He noted that Lere was one of the communities affected by the activities of the commission due to the presence of River Kaduna.

“We are here to interact with the traditional institution, inform them about the commission’s mandate and understand their aspirations so that our interventions will address their priority needs.

“We have listened to the Emir and members of the community. We will study the requests and incorporate them into our planning and budgeting process,” he said.

The managing director commended the Lere Development Association for initiating the construction of a police station to improve security in the area.

He assured the community that the commission would intervene to ensure the project’s completion.

“We are impressed by the community’s commitment to its own development. We will communicate our level of intervention shortly, and, by the grace of God, work on the project will commence within the next two weeks.

“We will also provide forms for interested youths in the area to benefit from the commission’s vocational skills acquisition programme,” Mr Yelwa said.

Responding, the Emir of Lere described the visit as the first by a high-level delegation from a federal intervention agency to the emirate, saying it marked a new chapter in the relationship between the traditional institution and the commission.

He expressed appreciation for the commission’s ongoing interventions and appealed for more support to improve the welfare of the people.

The emir identified key areas requiring intervention to include vocational training for youths, educational support for indigent students, installation of street lights and programmes to improve the livelihoods of residents whose economic activities depend on the river.

He also appealed to the commission to address challenges posed by the River Kaduna, especially flooding, which he said destroys houses and farmlands whenever the water level rises.

The traditional ruler pledged the emirate’s continued support and cooperation with the commission to ensure the successful implementation of development projects in the area.

(NAN)