WorldStage Newsonline– The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a sustainable solution to flooding and water supply challenges in Borno State, with the ongoing reconstruction and upgrade of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri now progressing steadily.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed this during a working visit to the dam site on August 7, 2025, where he led a federal delegation to assess the project’s status.
According to the Minister, the initiative was a key response to the devastating flood of September 2024, which claimed lives and destroyed infrastructure worth billions of naira.
He said the project was being implemented in two phases with the first, focused on flood mitigation, began in March 2025 and set for completion by September.
The second phase, which will involve a full-scale upgrade of the dam’s capacity and structure, and scheduled to commence in October and conclude by March 2027.
“This is a critical intervention to prevent another disaster while transforming Alau Dam into a multipurpose facility for water supply, irrigation, and potentially hydroelectric power,” Prof. Utsev stated.
He emphasized that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting the administration’s prioritization of climate-resilient infrastructure.
While inspecting key areas of the site including the gated spillway and cofferdam the Minister expressed satisfaction with the contractor’s adherence to timelines and quality.
However, he raised concerns over ongoing farming activities near the dam’s embankment, warning that such actions could endanger both workers and the structural integrity of the dam.
“We’re urging the Borno State Government to step up public sensitisation to discourage farming along the embankment. It’s a serious risk, especially during the rainy season,” he cautioned.
Prof. Utsev also directed the technical team to adjust dam gates for better water flow control, noting that current water levels remain stable.
As part of his field assessment, the Minister visited the nearby River Ngada Bridge which is hydrologically linked to the Alau Dam to evaluate the broader impact of water systems in the region.
He later paid a courtesy visit to Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, to brief him on the project’s progress and federal-state collaboration.
The Minister was accompanied by key officials from the Ministry, including Permanent Secretary Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, Director of Dams and Reservoirs Engr. Ali Dallah, and Director of River Basin Operations and Inspectorate Engr. Christy Oduh. Borno State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Tijani Alkali, also joined the visit.
Prof. Utsev lauded President Tinubu and Governor Zulum for their support and urged the media to continue raising public awareness on water infrastructure and climate resilience.
Once completed, the upgraded Alau Dam is expected to provide a long-term safeguard against flooding while enhancing access to drinking water and boosting agriculture across Borno State — a region increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
