NEWS
Emir seeks HYPPADEC intervention to end catching of fingerlings fish in River Niger
The Emir of Yauri in Kebbi, Dr Muhammad Zayyanu, has pleaded with the Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) to intervene for an end to the killings of fish fingerlings in the River Niger.Zayyanu made the appeal while hosting the Managing Director of the commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, and the Chairman of the Supervision Committee of the commission, Prof. Sale Kalau, and their teams in Yauri on Thursday.
“The main occupation of our people is fishing apart from farming.
“Some fishermen are using cruel equipment in catching these small fish because the law prohibiting illegal fishing is not strong enough as it is only stipulated a fine of N20, 000.
“But if you catch one big fish, it could cost N150,000. So, we need stringent laws. I don’t know how HYPPADEC is going to help us on this but we are appealing to you to intervene in oder to address the menace,” he said.
Zayyanu also commended the commission for various projects and rehabilitation of water works embarked upon in his domain.
“The water project will definitely cost billions of naira but it will go a long way to boost water supply in Yauri and its environment. This is the project we would never forget.
On security, HYPPADEC donated 100 motorcycles, now being used by the security agencies to hunt down bandits in the bush and confront them.
“On education, HYPPADEC has bought a lot of forms for our children to be able to sit down for their examinations while it has brought doctors here to be treating our people free.
On farming, he said that the commission had distributed bags of fertilizers to their numerous farmers in spite of the higher cost of the commodity.
“HYPPADEC has been able to have positive impacts on our people and that is how its supposed to be. We are grateful to the commission,” the emir commended.
Earlier, Prof. Kalau informed the emir that they were in the state to inspect some of the projects executed by the commission and the progress made by the contractors.
“We have found out that these projects are there and they are on ground for us to see. And the contractors handling them are doing well,” he said.
In his remarks, Sadiq-Yelwa disclosed that the commission would release tender for the contractors to bid for the 20 years old Yauri Water Works at the cost of N1.9 billion for the prospective contractors.
The MD urged the people in the area to guard the projects properly against being damaged when completed.
