Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has made an urgent appeal to the Federal Government to accelerate the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam to prevent a recurrence of last year's devastating flood disaster in the state.
The governor's call came in response to a request by the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, who emphasized the need to expedite the project during the traditional Sallah homage at the Government House in Maiduguri.
Concerns Over Slow Progress
According to a statement released by Dauda Iliya, the governor's spokesman, Zulum expressed serious concern over the slow pace of work on the dam, particularly as the rainy season has already begun.
"After the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam, which we all attended, the truth is that the work is not progressing as expected," Zulum stated.
The Shehu of Borno emphasized the critical importance of expediting the Alau Dam project, noting that the first phase should have been completed by now. The royal father referenced the recent flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, as a warning of what could occur in Borno if swift action is not taken.
"We witnessed the catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri on 10th September 2024, and we do not want a repeat. The Federal Government must act immediately," the monarch said.
Background of the Project
Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas experienced the worst flooding in decades following the collapse of the Alau Dam in 2024. In response, the Federal Government approved N80 billion for the dam's reconstruction and expansion, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in March 2025 to mark the commencement of the project.
The Shehu also urged Governor Zulum to follow up with the Federal Government on other critical issues including oil exploration in Tuba, road rehabilitation, and electricity connectivity for local government areas in the state.
The appeal comes at a crucial time as communities in Borno remain vulnerable to flooding with the onset of the rainy season, highlighting the urgency of completing the rehabilitation work on the dam.
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