By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has set up a 26-member committee to probe the cause of the collapse of Alau Dam on September 10, 2024, which destroyed properties and lives in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Council.
According to him, the 38-year-old dam had been supplying potable water for “drinking and irrigation schemes” in the Lake Chad Basin.
Inaugurating the committee on Saturday in Maiduguri, the governor disclosed: “The committee members are to swing into action by finding out the immediate and remote causes of the dam collapse on September 10, 2024.”
He stated that it is necessary for the committee to enquire into the collapse of the dam that destroyed about 50 lives of people along their property in Maiduguri.
Zulum lamented the submerging of 40 percent of the metropolis’s landmass, including 5, 000 hectares of farmlands in three local government areas.
On the committee’s terms of reference, he said, “You’re to first determine the immediate and remote cause of the dam collapse on that fateful night.
Besides the causes of collapse, he added that the committee members should provide remedial actions by recommending appropriate and concrete measures.
The governor said the measures are to stop the spillage of flood waters into Maiduguri and other communities in the three local councils.
He noted that this will ensure the durability and sustenance of the Alau dam that had been supplying water for domestic and industrial uses.
“You’re to also liaise with the national committee on the various dams in the country,” he charged.
“As the state government is committed to rehabilitating the destroyed infrastructure and the support of flood victims, the government has donated N20 billion into the Borno State Relief Disaster Fund (BRDF).
He explained that 50% of the fund is earmarked for rebuilding of destroyed infrastructure, while the other half of the donations are to support the flood victims by procuring food and non-food items.
Zulum said the Flood Assessment Committee has assessed several affected communities, including Gwange, Fori, and Moro-Moro communities along the riverbanks of Yedzaram and Ngadda.
The governor, therefore, thanked the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu for donating 100 trucks of rice and other assorted grains for distribution to the flood victims.
Also speaking, the chairman of the committee, Engr. Abba Garba, assured the governor that the committee’s terms of reference will be complied with in four weeks.
“We thanked you for finding us worthy to serve our people.
Similarly, the Governor Babagana Zulum has commenced assessment of the flood-destruction of infrastructure for rebuilding in the Maiduguri town and Jere Local Council.
According to him, the flood has washed off, destroying dozens of roads, bridges, markets, and hospitals.
Zulum, while assessing the levels of destruction, said: “The September 10, 2024, flood was the worst ever in the metropolis since the last 1994 flood disasters that claimed people’s lives and property.”
He added that the infrastructures effected are Gwange Hospital and Fori Wards, Moro-Moro communities.
