President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N80 billion for the immediate reconstruction and expansion of Alau Dam in Borno State. The approval was granted during the second day of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
Located in Alau community, Konduga Local Government Area, the dam was originally constructed between 1984 and 1986. It serves as a major reservoir on the Ngadda River, a tributary of Lake Chad, providing water supply, irrigation, and flood control.
However, in 2024, the dam collapsed, leading to severe flooding that resulted in the deaths of over 150 people and the displacement of at least 419,000 others in Borno State.
The approval followed recommendations from a Ministerial Committee set up by President Tinubu on September 23, 2024, to assess dams across Nigeria. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, chaired the committee, which included representatives from the ministries of finance, environment, works, and information, as well as the National Security Adviser.
Prof. Utsev explained:
“The mandate of the committee was to assess all dams in the country and provide recommendations for their optimal use, including water supply, flood control, irrigation, and fish farming.”
The committee conducted assessments on approximately 35 dams, with input from engineering experts, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and the Council of Dam Experts.
According to Prof. Utsev, the design and analysis for the Alau Dam project have been completed and approved.
“President Tinubu has graciously approved N80 billion for the immediate reconstruction and expansion of Alau Dam in Borno State. The project is awaiting formal ratification by the Federal Executive Council after due process is completed.”
The Borno State Government and the National Security Advisory Office are working together to ensure the project starts promptly.
•First phase completion:July 2025 to prevent flooding in Maiduguri.
•Desilting process begins:December 2025
•Project completion:24 months (by 2027).
The Federal Government, in collaboration with state authorities and security agencies, is committed to ensuring the project is completed on schedule, addressing flood risks, and improving water management in the region.