From HASSAN JIRGI, Maiduguri
Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum has emphasised that the reconstruction of Alau Dam would restore the dignity and livelihood of people who were severely impacted by the devastating flood of 2024.
The governor stated this on Saturday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration and rehabilitation of Alau Dam by the federal government.
The event took place at Alau community in Jere Local Government Area.
Zulum outlined several key benefits that the people of Borno would gain from the rehabilitation of the dam, including enhanced agricultural activities, improved water supply, flood control, economic diversification and community empowerment.
“This groundbreaking ceremony is a testament to the federal government’s unwavering commitment to rebuild Borno State, not just in terms of physical infrastructure, but in restoring the livelihoods and dignity of our citizens.
“We understand that sustainable development is inextricably linked to the availability of water resources, and Alau Dam is crucial in this regard.
“Restoration and rehabilitation of this dam will bring numerous benefits to our people.
“Enhanced agricultural productivity along the dams: This project will significantly improve irrigation capacity, enabling our farmers to cultivate more land and increase their yields,” the governor said.
According to him, this will boost food security, create employment opportunities and contribute to the overall economic development of the state.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the repair of the dam within a short period of time.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, who was the special guest of honour, stated that the rehabilitation would be conducted in two phases.
According to the minister, when completed, Alau Dam will enhance the provision of drinking water and revamp agricultural activities for thousands of people around the facility.
He added that phase one would be executed between February and September to mitigate immediate flood risks, while phase two would focus on extensive distilling and structural enhancement to ensure long-term functionality and resilience of the dam, commencing from October.”
