FEC approves N80bn for reconstruction of Alau Dam

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved N80 billion to reconstruct and rehabilitate Alau Dam in Borno state.

Joseph Utsev, the minister of water resources and sanitation, spoke at the end of the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday at the presidential villa.

Utsev said the Borno state government is partnering with the federal government to commence the project, which will be carried out within the next 24 months.

He noted that the first rehabilitation of the dam will take place between February and July to ensure that flooding does not occur in the state this year.

“I gave a report on the committee constituted on the 23rd of September 2024 on the evaluation of dams in Nigeria. The committee was inaugurated on the 2nd of October 2024,” the minister said.

“The president gave approval of N80 billion for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Alau Dam in Borno state and this is awaiting ratification of FEC while other due processes are being observed.

“The Borno state government is working together to kickstart the project between now and July 2025. The first component will be established to ensure flooding does not occur in Borno state in 2025; the project is to be carried out within the next 24 months.”

On September 9, more than 30 persons were killed and 400,000 displaced by floods in Maiduguri, Borno state, due to the collapse of the Alau dam.

Following the collapse of the dam, the federal government constituted a committee to assess the integrity of all dams in the country, including Alau.

The committee, led by Utsev, said the Alau dam was considered the most critical and most immediate for reconstruction, following their assessment.