The Federal Executive Council approved N80 billion on Tuesday for the immediate reconstruction and expansion of the Alau Dam in Borno State.
The announcement was made by Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, following a council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
The decision comes after an assessment of the dam’s integrity, prompted by its collapse last September, which resulted in severe flooding in Maiduguri, affecting over 23,000 households. The minister noted that the reconstruction is critical to preventing future flooding.
“Mr. President graciously gave an approval of N80bn for the reconstruction and expansion of Alau Dam in Borno state,” he announced.
Utsev stated that the first phase of the project is expected to be completed by July 2025, with additional work such as desilting scheduled to begin in December.
The contract will be executed by Effect International Limited, and the broader review of 34 other dams is ongoing.
