The Kwara state Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed has called for the removal of all bureaucratic bottlenecks hindering the take-off of the Hydro-electric Producing Areas Commission (HYPADEC) so that the pains of flood victims in the hydro energy producing communities could be assuaged while impact of future flooding could be better managed.

Governor Ahmed made this call during the weekend at the palaces of Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta Umar and Emir of Lafiagi , Alhaji Saidu Kawu Haliru, just as the two paramount rulers called for the take off of the dredging of the river Niger up to Jebba in Kwara State to reduce the devastating effects of flooding.

Dr. Ahmed, who presented relief materials procured from the over N340 million Kwara State and Federal Government Relief funds to the people of Patigi and Lafiagi in Patigi and Edu local Government Areas of the State, said additional support infrastructure such as electrification, rural roads and housing will also be provided to complement the state government's on-going efforts. He noted that the flooding has thrown up a lot of challenges as fishing, farmlands and other sources of livelihood in communities along the banks of Rivers Niger and Kaduna were destroyed, adding that when the issue of HYPADEC was mentioned, it was a very welcome development.

"We have since been looking forward to its full take off so that communities can begin to see that they are also put into consideration and feel a sense of belonging on issues affecting their livelihood and support for them."

While presenting the relief materials, which included over 920 bags of rice, 850 bags of cement, 605 pieces of fishing nets over 700 pieces of Ankara print wax for women and Guinea Brocade for men, roofing sheets, nails, among others, at separate ceremonies in the two communities, Governor Ahmed assured them that his administration would continue to be responsive to their aspirations and make life more comfortable to them through the provision of infrastructural facilities.

The Governor described the relief materials to the affected communities as a first step palliative, promising that government would continue to work towards their permanent rehabilitation. Dr. Ahmed called on well meaning individuals to join hands with the state government in providing lasting succour to the victims.

The governor said it has become manifest that the flooding has become regular and with devastating consequences due to climatic change, and therefore emphasised that communities at the banks of the rivers must prepare to be relocated further from the banks to reduce the impact of flooding whenever it occurs.

"I do know that it is very emotional to relocate to another place, but there is more to life than staying in an ancestral home," he added.

The two traditional rulers also emphasised that the early take off of HYPADEC would bring a lot of succour to the people living around the banks of River Niger.