The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev has assured the Borno State Government of the imminent commencement of work on Alau Dam following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of funds for its rehabilitation and reconstruction.
He gave this assurance during a meeting with a Borno State delegation at his office in Abuja.
The meeting which had in attendance Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation Mr Richard Pheelangwah, Chairman and Members of the Technical Subcommittee on Evaluation of Dams in Nigeria and the Acting Managing Director Chad Basin Development Authority discussed the preparations to commence work on Alau Dam.
Addressing the delegation, Professor Utsev said “he called for the meeting following the outcome of his discussion with the Governor of Borno State Prof. Babagana Zulum to enable both the Federal and Borno State Governments work as a team to come out with a template and recommendations to guide the contractor on how best the work would be carried out”.
Also,”he informed the delegation that the Interministerial Technical Committee inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to evaluate the integrity of Dams and Reservoirs in the country which he chaired has so far assessed thirty five Dams and presented its interim report while the final report would be presented to the Council as soon as the committee completes its assignment” said Professor Utsev.
He however said “Alau Dam was a special case that needed immediate intervention which necessitated the representation of its report to Mr President for action who has graciously approved Eighty Billion Naira for the commencement of the project.”
According to the Minister, the work is expected to be completed within twenty four months while the first component would commence from this month and end in July with the second phase starting from October and assured the Borno State Government of its full participation in the project execution to ensure timely completion.
Prof Utsev expressed hope that the Dam when completed would boost irrigation farming in Borno state , improve hydropower generation in the North East and appealed to the Borno State Government to ensure adequate provision of security to the project site to enable a smooth execution of the project.
On his part, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation Mr Richard Pheelangwah said the synergy between the Federal and Borno State Government was key to achieving success on the project.
Responding, leader of the Borno State Government delegation and Commissioner for Water Resources in Borno, Engr Tijani Goni who described Professor Utsev as a man of his words, particularly expressed appreciation to the Minister for taking the issue of Alau Dam as his personal project saying the people of Borno State would ever remain grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Professor Utsev when the dam is finally completed.
He assured the Minister that the Borno State Government would provide adequate security to the project site and coorporate with the contractor handling the project to ensure timely completion.
Recall that the Alau Dam in Maiduguri, collapsed in 2024, causing severe flooding and loss of life.
PR/Terver/Oyenike Oyeniyi
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