Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, says the upgrade of the Alau Dam will deliver lasting solutions to flooding, water supply challenges, and agricultural needs in Borno State.
The Minister made this known during a working visit to the dam site when he led a high-powered delegation from the Ministry to inspect the ongoing works in Maiduguri.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations of the ministry, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan in Abuja.
The statement explained that the first phase of the project, targeted at flood mitigation and is expected to be completed by September 2025.
It states that the second phase, which focuses on the full-scale upgrade of the dam, will begin in October 2025 and is scheduled for completion by March 2027.
According to the statement, Prof. Utsev reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, approved the reconstruction and upgrading of Alau Dam.
“This intervention is critical, not just to prevent another disaster, but to reposition this dam as a multipurpose facility for drinking water, irrigation, and even hydro-power generation in the near future.”
It notes that during the inspection, the Minister visited the main dam gated spillway and proceeded to the cofferdam, where the contractor is currently filling and reinforcing the structure.
The statement notes that the water levels remained under control at the time of the visit, and reassured the public that there was no cause for alarm.
It reveals that the contractor is executing the work professionally and in line with approved timelines and directed that necessary adjustments be made to the dam’s gates to allow for controlled water flow, ensuring safety during the rainy season.
According to the statement, the Minister urges the Borno State Government to intensify public sensitisation, especially among local farmers, to halt agricultural activities along the dam’s embankment, which he says can compromise the safety and structural integrity of the project.
“We understand that some farmers are still cultivating around the dam embankment, which poses a serious risk to both the workers and the infrastructure,” he stresses.
“We are appealing to the State Government to begin a strong awareness campaign to stop this”
The statement expresses appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for the upgrading and reconstruction of the dam, and to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his strong commitment to the people of Borno stressing that once completed, the dam will be a game-changer for water security and agriculture in the region.
“I also commend the media for their role in communicating government programmes and calls for continued support in informing the public about key national developments.
The Minister also made a stopover at River Ngada on the Lagos Bridge, which is hydrologically linked to the Alau Dam, as part of efforts to understand the broader water dynamics of the area.
He was accompanied on the inspection visit by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah; the Director of Dams and Reservoirs, Ali Dallah; the Director of River Basin Operations and Inspectorate, Christy Oduh; and other senior officials.
The team was also joined by Borno State Government representatives, including the Commissioner for Water Resources, Tijani Alkali.
