The Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Barrister Ekpo Nta has charged the management of the Hydroelectric Power Area Development Commission (HYPADEC) to learn from failures and successes of other commissions in the country.
In a keynote address titled: “HYPADEC High Hope: Failed Promises, Learning from the past of other Agencies”, at a retreat organised by the commission in Port Harcourt, he said the management must develop a strategic action plan that would help them impact positively on the affected communities.
Nta urged the commission to avoid favouritism in appointments and award of contracts, adding that premium must be placed on competence in appointments and award of contracts.
He also stressed the need for programmes that would enable the commission have direct contact with its host communities with a view to knowing their problems.
Nta warned against allowing youth groups to speak for the communities in order to avoid the proliferation of groups in their catchment areas.
The keynote speaker further called on them to work with the communities to ensure proper execution of contracts and security of contractors and assets.
In a welcome address, Managing Director of the commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa said HYPADEC was established by the Federal Government to address ecological challenges and promote socio-economic development of communities affected by the operation of hydro dams in the six states of Niger, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Benue and Plateau.
Yelwa said the challenges of the communities were enormous, and represents five decades of sacrifice in terms of means of livelihood, vegetation and cultural artifacts, among others, made by the affected communities for the country to have electricity from the operation of hydroelectric dams.
He said the management was working on strategic plans to help prepare proactively and address issues with long-term impacts.
“The result of which is sustainable, efficient and effective output. The utilisation of available resources in discharging responsibilities is a product of effective planning”, he said.
