Mairo Adamu Mani
The Niger State House of Assembly has taken a significant step in urging the Executive Arm of Government and Members of the National Assembly who are of Niger State extraction to impress on the Federal Government on the need to appoint the Managing Director of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) from amongst the member states of the Commission as provided for in the HYPPADEC Act. This resolution was passed sequel to a Motion brought by Hon. Arc. Abubakar Suleiman Gomna, Member Representing Bosso Constituency at today’s plenary of the House.
Presenting his motion, Arc. Suleiman Gomna informed his colleagues that there has been a public outcry over the recent appointment of an Oyo State indigene as the Managing Director of HYPPADEC by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is contrary to what is provided for in section 12(2)(a) of the HYPPADEC Act.
The Act clearly stipulates that the Managing Director shall be appointed from only amongst the Member States of HYPPADEC and such appointment shall be on rotational basis. Hon. Arc. Abubakar Suleiman Gomna emphasized that the HYPPADEC Act is a Federal Legislation and that as representatives of the people, they have the mandate to lend their voice against this aberration.
After presentation of the Motion and subsequent deliberations, the House unanimously adopted all the prayers of the Motion. The resolution of the House will be sent to other Member States of HYSTPADEC and Members of the National Assembly. The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Afiniki Eunice Dauda, constituted an 8-man delegation to visit the National Assembly to officially submit the Resolution of the House. The delegation includes Members Representing Bosso, Tafa, Borgu, Bida II, Lapai, Paikoro, Suleja, and Rafi.
In addition to the motion, the House also deliberated on a Private Member Bill for a law to Amend the Law Establishing the Minna Institute of Technology and Innovation and for other connected purposes. The Bill was referred to the House Standing Committees on Education and Judiciary for further legislative action. This bill aims to improve the quality of education and innovation in the state, and the House is committed to ensuring its passage.
Furthermore, the House commenced debate on the second reading of a Private Member Bill for a Law to Establish Niger State Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery and for other connected matters, 2024. After intensive deliberations, the Bill was referred to the House Standing Committees on Education, Health, and Judiciary for further legislative action. This bill is expected to improve the healthcare delivery system in the state by providing more trained nursing and midwifery professionals.
The Niger State House of Assembly remains committed to ensuring that the interests of the people of Niger State are represented and protected. We urge the Federal Government to comply with the provisions of the HYPPADEC Act and ensure that the appointment of the Managing Director is done in accordance with the law. We believe that this will promote fairness, equity, and justice, and ultimately benefit the people of Niger State