By Awwal Umar Kontagora The recent appointment of Mrs. Tomi Somefun from Oyo State as Managing Director of the National Hydroele...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The recent appointment of Mrs. Tomi Somefun from Oyo State as Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has triggered sharp criticism from stakeholders across the North and the hydroelectric power-producing states.
In a strongly worded statement, Ambassador Nmaa Ahmed, PhD, Director-General of RAAMP, Niger State, described the appointment as a “clear violation” of the N-HYPPADEC Establishment Act. According to him, the law stipulates that the Managing Director of the Commission must come from one of the states directly impacted by hydroelectric power projects.
“This appointment is not just a breach of the law, it is a direct insult to communities who have suffered displacement, environmental degradation, and neglect as a result of decades of dam and power infrastructure projects,” Amb. Nmaa said.
The hydroelectric power-producing states include Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Gombe. Nmaa argued that these states were the reason for the Commission’s creation, which was intended to address the ecological and economic consequences of power generation activities.
“How can someone from Oyo State — a state with no direct stake in or experience of the suffering caused by hydroelectric projects — be appointed to lead this Commission?” he asked. “This is unjust, unacceptable, and must be reversed.”
Amb. Nmaa called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to respect the law, uphold the principle of federal character, and recognize the historical injustices suffered by the HYPPADEC states by immediately rescinding the appointment.
“This is not political agitation — it is a constitutional demand,” he declared.
He further urged traditional rulers, elders, and political leaders from the HYPPADEC states to speak out against what he described as “a dangerous precedent” that could strip affected regions of their right to representation in key development agencies.
Nmaa also called on northern youths, student bodies, civil society groups, and legislators representing HYPPADEC states in the National Assembly to mobilize and challenge the appointment both legally and legislatively.
“If allowed to stand, this will undermine the very essence of regional development commissions and ignore the rights of impacted communities,” he warned.
“Our message is simple and clear: Mr. President, reverse this appointment.
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