The Federal Government has approved N80 billion for the reconstruction and expansion of the Alau Dam in Borno State, following its catastrophic collapse in 2024, which resulted in severe flooding, killing over 150 people and displacing at least 419,000 others.
The approval was announced by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
According to the minister, the decision followed the submission of a report by a Ministerial Committee on Dam Evaluation, which was set up in September 2024 to assess the condition of dams across the country.
The committee, chaired by Prof. Utsev, included ministers of finance, environment, works, and information, as well as the National Security Adviser.
“The committee was tasked with evaluating all dams in Nigeria and making recommendations on their optimal use, including water supply, flood control, irrigation, and fish farming,” Utsev explained.
A sub-committee, consisting of experts from the Nigeria Society of Engineers, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and the Council of Dams Experts in Nigeria, was also involved in the assessment process.
The collapse of the Alau Dam on September 10, 2024, caused unprecedented flooding in Borno State, submerging communities and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
The dam, originally constructed between 1984 and 1986, impounds a major reservoir on the Ngadda River, a crucial tributary of Lake Chad.
With the approval secured, reconstruction efforts are set to begin immediately.
The first phase of the project, aimed at preventing further flooding in Maiduguri and surrounding areas, is expected to be completed by July 2025.
The second phase, focusing on desilting and full rehabilitation, is scheduled to commence in December 2025, with an overall completion timeline of 24 months.
“The Borno State Government is working closely with the sub-committee and the Nigerian Security Advisory Office to ensure swift execution,” Utsev added.
The Alau Dam’s reconstruction is expected to restore water supply, enhance irrigation for farming, and provide long-term flood control, offering relief to thousands of residents in Borno State.