The Federal Government is set to restore the collapsed Alau Dam in Jere Local Government Area, Maiduguri, Borno State, this is even as it seeks the collaboration of the Borno State government to complete various water projects and expand irrigable land for food production within the Chad Basin Development Authority.
The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, revealed this while inspecting the collapsed dam recently in Borno State.
The Minister, who emphasised the need for closer collaboration with the Borno State Government, noted that the inspection is aimed at assessing the extent of damage and exploring strategies for its rehabilitation, recognizing its vital economic importance.
The Minister of State expressed his appreciation for the unwavering dedication of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, in addressing the water and sanitation challenges faced by the State.
He was accompanied on the visit by senior management staff of the ministry, the Managing Director of Chad Basin Development Authority, Engr. Abba Garba, and staff of Chad River Basin Development Authority in Maiduguri.
MD of Chad River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Abba Garba, highlighted the significance of the Alau Dam, which has a reservoir capacity of 112 million cubic meters. Originally intended to provide irrigation farmland for Jere residents, it later became essential for supplying water to the growing population of Maiduguri due to increased demand.
He explained that the dam’s purpose has been hampered by its recent collapse, a result of the 2022 devastating flood that caused an overload of water from the upstream, leading to structural corrosion and eventual collapse.
The MD further disclosed that procurement processes to assess the impact and rehabilitate the dam are currently underway.
The Minister of State and his delegation also visited the Chad Basin Development Authority Songhai farms, which encompass sections for poultry, catfish, cattle, and greenhouses for tomato and sunflower cultivation, contributing to feed formulation and cholesterol-free oil production.
