The Federal Government has commenced the reconstruction and upgrade of the Alau dam in Maiduguri, Borno State, to enhance water resource infrastructure, control flooding, and drive economic growth in the region.

Performing the flag-off, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, stated that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising the administration’s commitment to the safety and well-being of Nigerians.

He recalled the devastating flood of September 10, 2024, which severely impacted Maiduguri and surrounding communities, making urgent intervention necessary.

Following a thorough assessment by a high-powered technical committee on dam evaluation, President Tinubu approved N80 billion for the full reconstruction and upgrade of the facility.

The Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs Funmi Imuetinyan, in a statement at the weekend, said the project would be executed in two phases over 24 months.

The first phase, scheduled between March and September 2025, would focus on immediate interventions to mitigate flood risks. The second phase, set to run from October 2025 to March 2027, would involve extensive desilting and structural enhancements to ensure long-term resilience.

Utsev assured the people of Borno State that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation will continue to provide full support for the project’s implementation.

The minister urged contractors and engineers to uphold the highest standards of quality, safety, and environmental sustainability, stressing that the initiative was crucial to restoring hope and security in the state.

Governor Babagana Zulum, in his remarks, expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for prioritising Borno State’s infrastructure needs.

He emphasised the socio-economic benefits of the upgraded dam, including improved potable water supply, enhanced irrigation for agricultural development, better flood control measures, and the potential for hydroelectric power generation.

The governor described the project as not just a repair of a physical structure, but a revitalisation of hope and prosperity for the people, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring livelihoods and dignity in Borno.

Providing technical details, Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations at the ministry, Ali Dallah, outlined key aspects of the reconstruction, including the merging of Dykes 1A and 1B into a single dam with a new auxiliary spillway, the construction of a new intake structure, the expansion of penstock pipes, the rehabilitation of Dykes 1C, 2, and 3, the replacement of control gates, and the implementation of comprehensive safety management and training programmes.