Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, have called on the Federal Government to urgently accelerate the reconstruction and expansion of the Alau Dam, warning that any further delay could trigger another devastating flood in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.
The appeal was made during the Shehu’s traditional Sallah homage to Governor Zulum at the Government House in Maiduguri.
Governor Zulum expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on the project, which was flagged off in March following the Federal Government’s ₦80 billion approval to address structural vulnerabilities that led to the dam’s partial failure and catastrophic flooding in 2024.
“After the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam, which we all attended, the truth is that the work is not progressing as expected,” Zulum said.
“I have personally briefed the President and Vice President about the situation and will continue to follow up. In the meantime, the Secretary to the State Government has set up a committee to implement immediate interventions at the dam.”
Floods Loom as Rainy Season Begins
Zulum cautioned that with the onset of the 2025 rainy season, there was little time left to mitigate potential disaster.
“Fast-tracking the project is non-negotiable. We cannot afford a repeat of the September 10, 2024 flood disaster that brought Maiduguri to its knees.”
The governor also used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, announcing that all local government headquarters in Borno State will be connected to the national electricity grid before the end of his tenure.
He added that, once the Pulka Quarry plant is completed, the state will embark on extensive road rehabilitation, despite security challenges.
“We have procured 40 new Howo tipper trucks. Once the plant is operational, road reconstruction will commence across the state,” Zulum stated.
Traditional Ruler Raises Alarm Over Dam Delays
The Shehu of Borno echoed the governor’s concerns, noting that the first phase of the Alau Dam project should have been completed by now. He stressed that the federal authorities must act swiftly.
“We witnessed the catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri last year. We do not want a repeat. The Federal Government must act immediately,” the Shehu said.
He pointed to the recent Mokwa flood disaster in Niger State as a warning of what could happen if urgent preventive measures are not taken.
In addition to the dam project, the traditional ruler urged the governor to maintain pressure on the Federal Government regarding oil exploration in Tuba, electricity connectivity, and road infrastructure improvements.
Broad Support for Zulum’s Administration
Governor Zulum also received Sallah homage from various institutions and communities, including delegations from:
- University of Maiduguri
- Kashim Ibrahim University
- University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital
- Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital
- Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital
- Federal Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare
The Shehu praised the governor for what he described as “unprecedented development strides”, noting the positive impact of Zulum’s leadership across the state despite daunting challenges.
