Tinubu Approves N80bn for Alau Dam Reconstruction
President Bola Tinubu has approved N80 billion for the reconstruction and expansion of Alau Dam in Borno State, pending ratification by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, announced this on Tuesday after the second FEC meeting of the year, highlighting the dam’s importance in mitigating flooding and enhancing water supply.
Utsev, who also chairs the inter-ministerial committee on dams, said the committee was inaugurated on Oct. 2, 2024, to assess dams nationwide and recommend improvements. The committee includes ministers of finance, environment, works, and information, as well as the National Security Adviser.
A sub-committee, comprising experts from the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and the Council of Dams Experts, has assessed 35 dams so far, with Alau Dam identified as a priority due to damage from flooding on Sept. 10, 2024.
“The committee swiftly reviewed 35 dams and presented an interim report to the Federal Executive Council today,” Utsev stated.
He confirmed that the Borno government is collaborating with the sub-committee to commence work, with the first phase targeted for completion before July. Decilting is scheduled to start in December, and the full project is expected to take 24 months.