Alau Dam Reconstruction On Track, FG Assures

The Federal Government has assured residents of Borno State that the ongoing reconstruction and upgrade of the Alau Dam are progressing on schedule and will deliver lasting solutions to recurring flooding, poor water supply, and agricultural needs in the region.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, gave the assurance during a working visit to the dam site in Maiduguri on Thursday. He was accompanied by a delegation from the ministry to inspect the progress of work.

The update was provided in a statement issued on Friday by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan.

Utsev disclosed that the reconstruction of the Alau Dam is being executed in two phases. The first phase, which commenced in March 2025, is focused on flood mitigation and is expected to be completed by September 2025.

The second phase, involving a full-scale upgrade of the dam’s infrastructure, is scheduled to begin in October 2025 and will run until March 2027.

He recalled the September 2024 Alau Dam disaster, which caused severe flooding, loss of lives, and destroyed infrastructure and property worth billions of naira.

He said the ongoing works are designed to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.

“This intervention is critical, not just to prevent another disaster, but to reposition this dam as a multipurpose facility for drinking water, irrigation, and even hydro-power generation in the near future,” Utsev said.

The reconstruction project follows a call in June by the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, for the Federal Government to fast-track the dam’s rehabilitation.

Governor Zulum had raised concerns over the pace of work and warned of the risks posed by the approaching rainy season.

During Thursday’s inspection, the minister visited the main dam gated spillway and the cofferdam, where the contractor is currently reinforcing the structure.

He noted that water levels remain under control and reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for concern.

Utsev expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work, noting that the contractor is operating professionally and within the approved timelines.

He directed adjustments to the dam gates to ensure controlled water flow, particularly during the peak of the rainy season.

However, the minister raised concerns about ongoing agricultural activities near the dam’s embankment, warning that such practices could compromise the safety and structural integrity of the facility.

“We understand that some farmers are still cultivating around the dam embankment, which poses a serious risk to both the workers and the infrastructure. We are appealing to the State Government to begin a strong awareness campaign to stop this,” he said.

Utsev urged the Borno State Government to intensify public sensitisation, especially among farmers, to protect the investment and ensure the long-term success of the project.

The minister highlighted that Alau Dam upgrade is one of several critical infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Tinubu-led administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at strengthening national resilience, enhancing food security, and ensuring sustainable access to clean water.

Alau Dam Reconstruction On Track, FG Assures is first published on The Whistler Newspaper