Maiduguri: FG denies Alau dam collapse, blames flood on river overflow

The Federal Government has clarified that the Alau Dam in Maiduguri did not collapse, as earlier speculated, in the wake of the devastating floods that have affected Borno State.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said that the flooding was caused by an overflow of the Ngadda River, which the dam could not contain, leading to severe damage.

The minister, along with the Minister of State, Hon. Bello Mohammad Goronyo, expressed deep sympathy for the government and people of Borno State, acknowledging the severe impact of the disaster.

The ministry, however, issued a stern warning to southern states, alerting them to the impending risk of heavy flooding due to rising water levels in the Niger and Benue rivers.

He said a team of technical experts from the Ministry, the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and the Chad Basin Development Authority has been deployed to Maiduguri to assess the situation at Alau Dam and the extent of the flood’s destruction.

Prof. Utsev reassured the public that reports from similar assessments in Bauchi, Sokoto, and Kebbi States have been produced and actions are being taken.

As the affected areas begin recovery efforts, the Minister urged citizens to be cautious about the water they consume, warning that it may be contaminated. “We must be mindful to avoid outbreaks of waterborne and communicable diseases,” he said.

According to him, daily flow readings have reached red alert levels, indicating the movement of large volumes of water down to the delta region. “We must increase vigilance and implement proactive measures to mitigate potential flooding.”

Earlier, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, the Director of Information and Public Relations, stated that there are plans for the immediate commencement of upgrading the Alau Dam in Maiduguri.

This move is aimed at tackling the persistent challenges posed by the dam’s overflow and delivering a permanent solution to the recurring flood disasters in the region.