Tinubu Approves N80bn For Reconstruction Of Borno Dam

President Bola Tinubu has approved the sum of N80 billion for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Alau Dam in Borno State.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev made this known on Tuesday after the second Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Utsev said the Borno State government is partnering with the federal government to kickstart the project planned to be carried out within the next 24 months.

The minister further revealed that the first component of the rehabilitation of the dam will be established between February and July 2025.

He underscored the significance of the timeline in ensuring that flooding does not occur in Borno State in 2025.

“I gave a report on the committee constituted on the 23rd September, 2024 on the evaluation of dams in Nigeria. The committee was inaugurated on the 2nd of October 2024.

“President gave approval of N80billion for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Alau Dam in Borno State, and this is awaiting ratification of FEC while due processes are being observed.

“The Borno State government is working together to kickstart the project between now and July 2025. The first component will be established to ensure flooding does not occur in Borno State in 2025. The project is to be carried out within the next 24months,” the minister added.

Utsev earlier disclosed that the committee assessed 35 dams after its inauguration and considered the Alau Dam as most critical and most immediate for reconstruction and rehabilitation.

It would be recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the setting up of a committee to re-assess the integrity of the Alau Dam and other dams across the country.

The committee which is led by the Minister of Environment and Sanitation, has other members as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Works, David Umahi; the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal.

Other members are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; and others.