The Federal Government has launched a comprehensive review and overhaul of the country’s dam infrastructure, starting with the Alau Dam in Borno State, which was affected by recent flooding.

Engr. Aliyu Ibrahim Dallah, director of dams and reservoir operations at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, disclosed this during an assessment visit.

The delegation, which included officials from the Federal Ministries of Environment and Works, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, and other water experts, was tasked with evaluating the structural integrity of the Alau Dam and recommending sustainable solutions to prevent future flooding.

According to Engr. Dallah, the proposed measures will include raising the dam’s reservoir level, desilting, and other interventions to enhance its resilience against natural disasters.

He further said that similar assessments would be carried out at other critical dam sites across Nigeria.

“Our mission is to evaluate the current condition of the Alau Dam, assess its impact on surrounding communities, and propose both immediate and long-term solutions. This review is part of a broader strategy to secure Nigeria’s dam infrastructure,” Engr. Dallah stated.

He explained that President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee to oversee the nationwide re-evaluation of dams.

The committee, chaired by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has also set up a dedicated technical subcommittee to address the specific needs of each dam across the country.

This sub-committee, led by Engr. Dallah, includes experts from the Ministries of Water Resources and Sanitation, Works and Housing, Environment, Budget and Finance, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGF), among others.

Engr. Dallah underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to completing these reviews before the next rainy season.

“We are prioritising the safety and security of critical dams, not only the Alau Dam but also others, such as the Kiri, Dadin Kowa, and Kourz dams in the North-East, along with key dams across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones,” he said.

Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations at the ministry, said in a statement on Wednesday that the government’s proactive approach reflects its commitment to safeguarding national infrastructure and protecting communities from the growing risks posed by climate change-related disasters.