Nigeria to Upgrade Alau Dam in Borno Following Deaths and Destruction, Allocates N171 Million for Rehabilitation

Following the devastating collapse of the Alau Dam, which led to significant loss of lives and widespread destruction, the Nigerian government has announced plans to upgrade the dam in Maiduguri, Borno State. The move aims to address the persistent challenges posed by the dam’s overflow and provide a permanent solution to recurring flood disasters in the region.

This development was revealed in a press statement issued by Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, on Thursday. The planned upgrade is expected to mitigate the risks associated with the dam’s overflow, ensuring the safety and well-being of surrounding communities.

During his visit to Maiduguri on Thursday, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, alongside the Minister of State, Bello Goronyo, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the project. “We are committed to a thorough overhaul of this critical infrastructure. The Alau Dam upgrade is non-negotiable, and any poor performance by contractors or officials involved will not go unpunished. Sanctions will be enforced for any delays or substandard work,” Utsev stressed.

In addition to the dam upgrade, the federal government emphasized its efforts to curb the spread of waterborne diseases in collaboration with the state government. As part of the ministry’s immediate intervention, sanitation kits and water treatment facilities will be provided to displaced persons.

However, this new development comes despite the N171 million the federal government spent between June 2023 and July 2024 on the rehabilitation of the same dam. For example, on September 20, 2023, a contract worth N122.4 million was awarded to Hammal and Partners for rehabilitation work. Another N26 million was spent on July 29, 2024, for additional repairs, just over a month before the recent flooding that caused extensive damage in Borno State.

According to Fusion Chronicles Nigeria, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that over 200,000 people were displaced due to the disaster. Many people, including children, are still missing, while numerous properties, including homes, farmland, and businesses, have been destroyed.