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FG Plans Upgrade Of Borno Dam As Ravaging Flood Sacks 414,000

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The Federal Government has initiated plans for the immediate enhancement of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri, Borno State.

This move was announced in a press statement issued by Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.

The statement outlined that the upgrade is a strategic response to the ongoing issues related to the dam’s overflow and aims to provide a definitive resolution to the recurrent flood disasters affecting the region.

According to the statement, Prof. Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, made this commitment during his visit to Maiduguri on Thursday, accompanied by Minister of State Bello Goronyo.

The ministerial team, including technical directors, water experts, heads of agencies, and senior government officials, conducted an extensive assessment of the recent floods, which have displaced residents, inundated agricultural lands and homes, and disrupted economic activities throughout Maiduguri.

Minister Utsev assured that a specialized team from the ministry is already deployed in Borno State to perform a detailed evaluation of the Alau Dam’s current state and to recommend prompt actions to enhance its capacity.

“We are resolutely committed to a comprehensive overhaul of this vital infrastructure.

“The upgrade of the Alau Dam is imperative, and any underperformance by contractors or officials will face strict penalties.

“Delays or substandard work will be met with sanctions,” he stated.

He further reassured the public that in conjunction with the dam upgrade, coordinated efforts would be made to address the spread of waterborne diseases in partnership with the state government.

The ministry will also provide sanitation kits and water treatment facilities to those displaced as part of its immediate response.

In response, Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, expressed his gratitude to the ministers and their team for their prompt action and support during this critical period.

He emphasized the necessity of a thorough study of the dam to evaluate its capacity, establish hydraulic structures, and improve flood forecasting systems.

Governor Zulum also highlighted the urgent need to address desertification, and invest in clean energy and irrigation systems to mitigate the escalating impacts of climate change.

This development is in the heels of the announcement by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) that at least 414,000 people have been displaced due to the devastating flood that occurred on Tuesday in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

According to Ann Weru, Head of Public Information at OCHA Abuja, the data was collected by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as of September 11, 2024. The report also indicates that 37 people lost their lives, and approximately 58 individuals sustained injuries.

The flood has severely impacted access to essential facilities, including hospitals, schools, and markets. Furthermore, significant damage to infrastructure, such as bridges, has been recorded.

Evacuation efforts are currently underway to relocate individuals from high-risk areas to safer ground, amidst concerns regarding the potential outbreak of diseases.

Mohamed Malick Fall, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, is scheduled to visit the affected areas in Maiduguri, where he will meet with local authorities, humanitarian partners, and individuals impacted by the flooding. A press conference will be held later in the day, attended by government officials, humanitarian partners, representatives of UN agencies, and donors.

Meanwhile,recipients of the Federal Government’s student loan programme have voiced their concerns over the postponed payment of the August monthly stipend.

In individual interviews with our correspondent, several students expressed their frustration regarding the payment delays.