The Nigerian federal government has allocated N80 billion for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri, Borno State, aimed at mitigating flooding incidents in the region. This announcement was made by the Minister of Water Resources, Professor Joseph Utsev, following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The minister explained that an inter-ministerial committee, formed in September 2024 to evaluate dams across Nigeria, submitted its interim report to the government. This committee includes ministers from Finance, Environment, Works, Information, and the National Security Adviser, with the Water Resources Minister serving as chairman.
Professor Utsev noted that the committee was established to assess all dams in the country and provide recommendations on their optimal use for water supply, flood control, irrigation, and fish farming.
He stated, “The Alau Dam is crucial, especially after the flooding challenges we faced on September 10 last year. The designs and analyses for the dam were completed and presented to the subcommittee, leading to President Tinubu’s approval for the N80 billion allocation.”
The minister added that the Borno State government is collaborating with the subcommittee and the Nigerian Security Advisory Office to initiate the project. The first phase of the work is expected to commence by July 2025, with additional components beginning by December of the same year. The entire project is projected to take 24 months to complete, ensuring that flooding in Maiduguri is addressed effectively.
