The Senator representing Niger-East Senatorial District, Barr. David Umaru has demanded the refund of N500million budgeted for the takeoff of Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) for two fiscal years without execution.
The senator made the demand in an interview yesterday at Shiroro, Niger State when he visited the area hosting the Hydro-electric dam.
He stated that the N500million was budgeted in 2014 and 2015 but was not released, adding “We will call on relevant stakeholders at the governmental and non-governmental levels immediately we resume to find out the reasons for the delay in the takeoff of the commission and seek the refund of the money”.
“The people have been patient enough because of the signing into law of the bill for the commission’s establishment, but we will ensure that the dividend of the commission quickly gets to them”.
Consequently, Senator Umaru charged the federal government and the companies operating the dams to as a matter of urgency address the perennial loss of lives of the peasant farmers along the waterways.
