NEDC attributes Borno dam collapse to weak structures, siltation
By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri
The North East Development Commission (NEDC), has attributed the collapse of Alau Dam to weak structures and siltation of the water facility in Borno state.
The excessive waters of 38-year dam, however, submerged over a dozen communities and the business districts of Post Office, Gidan Madara and the Maiduguri Monday Market (MMM), which remained closed to the public.
Unveiling the cause of dam collapse, yesterday (Thursday), in Maiduguri, the Executive Director, Administration and Finance of the Commission, Garba Iliya said: “Three dykes of the dam were washed off by the excessive waters that flooded Maiduguri last Monday.”
Lamenting that the dykes and other critical structures of the dam have outlived to contain and retain the excessive waters that broke dykes.
He explained that the dykes of dams, regulate the flow of water in preventing any disaster to people’s life and property in the country.
Iliya, who also serves as an engineer, noted that even though the dam gate, was not affected contract has been awarded to replace the dykes and other critical structures of Alau dam.
He warned that the dam is to be desilted, before embarking on the replacements of dykes, including the re-enforcement of the main gate.
“This will control, the safe releases of waters from the dam from various uses, including irrigation in farms in the Lake Chad Basin,” adding that excessive waters from rivers and other water channels flow into the dam.
In completing the dam project, the NEDC boss Mohammed Alkali, assured that he will collaborate with the Federal Government in providing basic monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
Meanwhile, the Lagos Bridge over River Yedzaram on which the dam was built, is developing significant cracks and its at verge of collapsing.
Motorists and pedestrians are warned against crossing the bridge, until further noticer.
Seven other bridges were constructed on the river and Ngadda tributary in Maiduguri metropolis to mitigate perennial floods into communities.
