Flooding: Zulum Urges FG to Speed up Reconstruction of Alau Dam

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has called on the federal government to speed up reconstruction of the collapsed dyke at Alau Dam, which resulted in the submersion of large parts of the state capital Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas of Konduga and Jere.

The Alau Dam, constructed between 1984 and 1986 to provide water for irrigation and domestic use in Maiduguri, is situated in the Alau Community of Konduga, a local government area in Borno State.

Zulum made the call on Monday after receiving report of the assessment committee that investigated the root cause of the dam’s collapse.

The governor pointed out that with about four months to another rainfall, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources needs to urgently undertake the reconstruction of the dam.

He said: “By next week, we shall be in January, and rainfall will set in some parts of Borno State by March. We have limited time! The earlier we begin something, the better for us. The federal government’s assessment team was in Maiduguri and they had a consultation with the committee we inaugurated.

“On our part as state government, we shall push this matter to the letter; I am of the view that in a few days, if there is no action on the ground, I will go and see Mr. President and beg him to allow the Northeast Development Commission to take over and start the reconstruction immediately. If we decide to wait for the bureaucracy, I am afraid we will run out of time.

“If we can start on time, I am sure with serious commitment we can rebuild the substantial part of the dyke, which has collapsed.”

Zulum noted the committee inaugurated by the state government had taken temporary measures to stop the water from spilling from the dam.

He also assured that despite limited resources, his administration would partner the federal government to ensure such a devastating flood would not occur again in Borno.

Zulum said: “As a responsible government, we will not fold our arms and wait for the federal government until another disaster occurs, despite the flooding having seriously affected our financial capacity.”