In a bid to prevent another devastating flood disaster, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar El-Kanemi, have jointly appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam. This urgent call was made during the Shehu’s traditional Sallah homage to the governor at Government House, Maiduguri. The duo emphasized the necessity of swift action to avert a repeat of the catastrophic flooding that ravaged Maiduguri and surrounding areas in 2024.
According to Governor Zulum, accelerating the project’s pace is crucial to prevent a recurrence of the 2024 flood disaster, which had a debilitating impact on the region. He expressed concern over the slow progress of the work, stressing that urgent action is needed, especially with the rainy season looming. Zulum revealed that he has already briefed the President on the true state of the project and assured that he would continue to follow up on the matter, having also notified the Vice President.
The Federal Government had earlier approved N80 billion for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam, with the aim of mitigating a repeat of the dam’s collapse, which led to severe flooding and damage. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in March to mark the official commencement of the project. However, the governor and the Shehu are pushing for faster progress, citing the imminent threat of another flood disaster.
In addition to the dam project, Governor Zulum has pledged to connect all local government headquarters in the state to the national electricity grid before the end of his administration. He also assured the Shehu that once the Pulka Quarry plant is completed, extensive road rehabilitation work would commence across the state. The governor expressed his commitment to addressing the challenges of insecurity and road infrastructure, stating that 40 brand-new Howo tipper trucks have been procured to facilitate the road rehabilitation efforts.
The Shehu of Borno commended Governor Zulum for the unprecedented development strides recorded in the state and stressed the urgent need for the Federal Government to expedite action on the Alau Dam project. He noted that the first phase of the project should have been completed by now and warned that the recent flooding in Mokwa is a stark reminder of the looming threat faced by the people if swift action is not taken. The traditional ruler also urged the governor to follow up on issues of oil exploration in Tuba, road rehabilitation, and electricity connectivity for local government areas with the Federal Government.
As the people of Borno look to the future with hope, the appeal by Governor Zulum and the Shehu of Borno serves as a reminder of the importance of swift and decisive action in preventing disasters and promoting development. With the governor’s commitment to connecting local government headquarters to the national electricity grid and rehabilitating roads, the state is poised for significant progress. However, the urgent need for the Federal Government to expedite the Alau Dam project remains a pressing concern, and it is crucial that the authorities take immediate action to mitigate the risk of another flood disaster.
