Senator David Umaru has sought for the refund of N500million budgeted for the takeoff of Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) for two fiscal years without execution.

The senator representing Niger East made this known in an interview yesterday at Shiroro when he visited the area hosting the Hydroelectric dam.

He stated that the N500million was budgeted in 2014 and 2015 but was not released, adding “We will call on relevant stakeholders at the governmental and non-governmental levels immediately we resume to find out the reasons for the delay in the takeoff of the commission and seek the refund of the money”.

“The people have been patient enough because of the signing into law of the bill for the commission’s establishment, but we will ensure that the dividend of the commission quickly gets to them’’.

Consequently, the senator charged the federal government and the companies operating the dams to as a matter of urgency address the perennial loss of lives of the peasant farmers along the waterways.

Meanwhile, the chief operating officer of the Shiroro Hydro Power Company, Mr Daudu Abdulaziz,   disclosed that based on early warning signs, the dam may release excess water from the its turbine this year, but assured that the interest of the people along the dam will be adequately protected.

He said that the company would not allow for the destruction of lives and property during this year’s release of water from the dam, adding “The National Meteorological Agency had predicted a heavy downpour this coming months. This is a prediction which we are taking seriously and in case we will release water, it will be done responsibly.”