The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Kogi State Directorate, has sought collaboration with the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC) to sensitise residents on the Commission’s policies, programmes and interventions across the state.
The NOA State Director, Mrs Ayedime Alli Aileku, led a delegation to the HYPADEC State Office in Lokoja, where she described the Agency as a strategic partner to government institutions in ensuring that citizens are adequately informed about government policies and activities.
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Mrs Aileku said the visit was aimed at exploring ways to increase public awareness of HYPADEC’s interventions and ensure that residents better understand the Commission’s programmes and their benefits.
Receiving the delegation, the HYPADEC State Coordinator, Mr Michael Omeiza Ajayi, said the Commission was established under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and has 10 Local Government Areas of Kogi State within its catchment area.
He explained that Kogi State is affected by negative water-related weather conditions, noting that HYPADEC collaborates with the state government to improve service delivery and respond to challenges affecting communities within its mandate.
Mr Ajayi outlined several interventions carried out by the Commission across key sectors.
He said HYPADEC had supported less privileged students by paying JAMB and NECO external examination fees for candidates recommended by their communities.
The Commission also pays tuition fees for Kogi State students in higher institutions and has supported the upgrading of schools through the provision of classrooms, offices, notebooks, computers and school bags.
Mr Ajayi said more than 600 youths had been trained under the Youth Transformation Programme (YTP) in areas including fashion and design, catering, poultry farming, fish farming and other trades.
He added that the Commission was evaluating previous trainees as part of preparations for a more robust phase of the programme, while plans were also underway to establish skill acquisition centres across the state.
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According to him, HYPADEC completed the first phase of the Koton Karfe drainage project in 2022, while the second phase is in the pipeline.
He also listed the Kpata embankment project, ongoing drainage works in Itobe, Ofu Local Government Area, as well as the provision of hand-pump boreholes and solar-powered streetlights among the Commission’s interventions.
The HYPADEC coordinator said the Commission had embarked on flood preparedness advocacy, water hyacinth clearing and the removal of trees obstructing waterways.
He added that HYPADEC was also implementing an afforestation programme in Karara as part of its climate change intervention.
Mr Ajayi said HYPADEC had distributed fertilisers and provided medium-duty agricultural equipment in collaboration with the Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture.
He added that the Commission had presented boats equipped with life jackets to the state government and was procuring two larger boats through the state Ministry of Transport.
He said the Commission had provided palliatives, food and medical supplies, as well as psychological support during emergencies in Koton Karfe and Ibaji.
He added that HYPADEC collaborates with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and had implemented resettlement schemes for victims of natural disasters in Jamata, Koton Karfe and Mozum in Bassa Local Government Area.
Mr Ajayi said the Commission engages traditional rulers in designing and implementing its programmes, assuring the NOA delegation that he would make a case for the Agency’s inclusion in HYPADEC’s sensitisation activities.
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In her response, Mrs Aileku commended HYPADEC for its interventions across the state and assured the Commission that NOA would deploy its community outreach platforms to increase public awareness of its programmes.
Both parties agreed to develop a joint work plan covering flood preparedness, environmental awareness, youth empowerment, water transportation safety, school infrastructure sensitisation and emergency response.