Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) has joined the call for the federal government, especially the Ministry of Water Resources, to expedite action and complete the reconstruction of the collapsed Alau Dam, which stretches between the Konduga and Jere local government areas of Borno State.
LEADERSHIP recalls that on 10th September, 2024, Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas experienced devastating flooding, leaving many people dead and property worth billions of naira submerged.
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. However, our correspondent observed that the work is slow.
It was also gathered that Governor Babagana Zulum, responding to a request by the Shehu of Borno, Dr Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, on the need to fast-track the project during the traditional Sallah homage at the Government House in Maiduguri, expressed concern over the slow pace of the work and warned that the rainy season has already begun.
Ndume, while speaking with Journalists on Sunday in Maiduguri, reiterated the need for the federal government to live up to expectations and mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters, particularly anticipated floods in Borno and other states, based on the 2025 predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
He said, this became necessary to avoid repeat of what befell some communities in Borno, where many lives were lost and property worth billions of naira destroyed due to the collapse of the dykes of Alau Dam.
The Senator said, “As we prepare for the 2025 rainy season, let me call on the federal government, especially the federal ministry of Water Resources, to expedite action and complete the reconstruction process of the collapsed Alau Dam, which stretches between Konduga and Jere local government areas of Borno state.
“It is gratifying that the Federal Government has 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, but, unfortunately, the progress of work is slow.
“I understand that even His Excellency, Governor Babagana Zulum, while responding to a request by the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, on the need to fast-track the project during the traditional Sallah homage at the Government House in Maiduguri, expressed concern over the slow pace of the work, warning that the rainy season has already begun.
“I want to add my voice, and reiterated the need for the federal government to live up to expectation, to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters, particularly anticipated floods in Borno and other states, based on the 2025 predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
“This is very important to avoid a repeat of what befell some communities in Borno, where many lives were lost and property worth billions of naira destroyed due to the collapse of the dykes of Alau Dam last year”.
