Flooding: Zulum, Shehu of Borno beg FG to expedite rehabilitation of Alau Dam

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam to avert a repeat of last year’s devastating flood disaster.

Zulum made the call while responding to a request by the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, on the need to fasttrack the project. The monarch made the appeal during the traditional Sallah homage at the Government House in Maiduguri.

A statement released by Dauda Iliya, the governor’s spokeman, said Zulum expressed concern over the slow pace of work, warning that the rainy season has already begun.

“After the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam, which we all attended, the truth is that the work is not progressing as expected,” Zulum stated.

The Shehu of Borno emphasised the importance of expediting the Alau Dam project, noting that the first phase should have been completed by now.

The royal father referenced the recent flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, as a warning of what could occur in Borno if swift action is not taken.

“We witnessed the catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri on 10th September 2024, and we do not want a repeat, the Shehu said. The Federal Government must act immediately”, the monarch said.

He also urged the governor to follow up with the Federal Government on oil exploration in Tuba, road rehabilitation, and electricity connectivity for local government areas.

Recall that Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas experienced the worst flooding in decades following the collapse of the Alau Dam in 2024.

In response, the Federal Government approved N80 billion for the dam’s reconstruction and expansion, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in March 2025 to mark the commencement of the project.