The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, and the traditional ruler of Borno, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, have jointly called upon the Federal Government to accelerate the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam.
Their appeal is rooted in growing concerns about the likelihood of another flood disaster similar to the devastating incident of September 2024, which wreaked havoc across Maiduguri and its environs.
This joint appeal was made on Saturday during the traditional Sallah homage by the Shehu of Borno to the Governor at the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
During the event, Governor Zulum expressed deep dissatisfaction with the current pace of work on the Alau Dam project, noting that the onset of the rainy season poses a renewed threat to the safety and livelihoods of residents. According to him, the lack of visible progress on the dam’s reconstruction raises serious concerns.
“In the aftermath of the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and expansion of the Alau Dam—a ceremony we all witnessed—it is regrettable to report that the level of progress so far has been disappointing,” the governor remarked. “During my last visit to the President, I presented a candid account of the project’s actual status. I also briefed the Vice President and will continue to monitor the situation closely. I will not rest until we see the results.”
Governor Zulum further disclosed that the state government has constituted a dedicated committee to initiate immediate interventions, even as it awaits more comprehensive federal engagement and action on the dam rehabilitation.
Earlier this year, the Federal Government had approved the sum of N80 billion for the reconstruction and expansion of the Alau Dam. This approval followed the dam’s collapse, which led to extensive flooding across Maiduguri and surrounding communities. A formal groundbreaking ceremony for the federally funded project was held in March.
In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno reinforced the governor’s concerns and emphasized the urgency of the situation. He lamented that the project’s first phase should have been completed by now, especially given the scale of destruction from the last flood.
“The catastrophic flooding that occurred on the 10th of September, 2024, in Maiduguri must never happen again,” the Shehu stated emphatically. “The Federal Government must act swiftly to prevent a repeat. The recent flooding in Mokwa is a further warning and should be taken seriously.”
The Shehu also encouraged the state governor to maintain active dialogue with the Federal Government on broader developmental concerns such as oil exploration in Tuba, improvement of road networks, and enhancement of electricity access throughout Borno State.
In addition to the dam project, Governor Zulum highlighted other strategic priorities of his administration. He reiterated his firm commitment to connecting all local government headquarters in Borno State to the national electricity grid before the conclusion of his tenure.
“These are pressing matters that I hold dear,” he said. “By the grace of Allah, I assure Your Royal Highness that every local government headquarters in Borno will be connected to electricity before the end of my administration.”
Furthermore, the governor announced that large-scale road rehabilitation projects would soon commence across the state, facilitated by the near-completion of the Pulka Quarry plant.
“We have already procured 40 brand-new Howo tipper trucks,” he stated. “Once the Pulka Quarry plant becomes operational, we will launch an extensive road rehabilitation initiative throughout the state.”
The coordinated messages from both the governor and the Shehu of Borno reflect a unified front in seeking urgent federal intervention, not only to safeguard lives and property but also to advance critical infrastructure projects that are essential for the long-term development and resilience of Borno State.