Tinubu orders integrity test of all dams in Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has ordered that integrity tests be conducted on all dams in the country.

The president said the move is aimed at averting future disasters.

On September 10, Alau Dam in Maiduguri, the Borno capital, collapsed, resulting in the worst flooding in the state in 30 years.

The flood affected swathes of Maiduguri, culminating in the displacement of over 400,000 residents and the death of over 30 persons.

“Our government has been responding to the recent natural disasters, particularly the flooding in parts of the country,” Tinubu said in his Independence Day address.

“After Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Maiduguri, I also visited to assure our people that this federal government will always stand with our people in their times of trouble.

“At the last meeting of the Federal Executive Council, we approved a Disaster Relief Fund to mobilise private and public sector funds to help us respond faster to emergencies.

“Our government has also ordered integrity tests of all our dams in the country to avert future disasters.”

TheCable had reported that the dam was at full capacity weeks before its collapse.

During his visit to the state, Tinubu said the government cannot apportion blame for the disaster, adding that “it was not the making of anybody”.