The inter-ministerial committee, inaugurated on October 2, 2024, was tasked with assessing dams across Nigeria and proposing improvements. It includes ministers from finance, environment, works, and information, as well as the National Security Adviser.
President Bola Tinubu has approved N80billion for the reconstruction and expansion of the Alau Dam in Borno State, which was blamed for the devastating flood that killed over 150 people and displaced at least 419,000 in Maiduguri in September 2024.
The Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, confirmed the approval on Tuesday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
Utsev, who also chairs the inter-ministerial committee on dams, said the approval is awaiting FEC ratification.
The inter-ministerial committee, inaugurated on October 2, 2024, was tasked with assessing dams across Nigeria and proposing improvements. It includes ministers from finance, environment, works, and information, as well as the National Security Adviser.
According to Utsev, a sub-committee comprising experts from the Nigeria Society of Engineers, the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and the Council of Dams Experts in Nigeria has assessed 35 dams so far, with the Alau Dam identified as critical.
“The committee swooped into action and brought out recommendations for about 35 dams that have been assessed so far. Today, the interim report was presented to the Federal Executive Council,” Utsev stated.
The minister assured that the Borno State government is working closely with the federal sub-committee to fast-track the Alau Dam’s rehabilitation. Desilting is scheduled to begin in December, with the first phase set for completion before July.
Meanwhile, the entire project is expected to take 24 months.
Alau Dam, constructed between 1984 and 1986 on the Ngadda River, a tributary of Lake Chad, serves as a key water reservoir for Maiduguri.
However, its collapse in September 2024 led to widespread flooding, which caused massive loss of lives and property.