N80bn Alau Dam Update to increase irrigation, generate Power-FG

Thursday the Federal Government said that the Alau dam project from N80 billion to Borno is designed to increase irrigation and generate hydroelectric energy when it is completely completed in 2027.

The minister of water resources and toilets -Sanitari, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made this known during a work visit to the project website at the Alau community, near Maiduguri.

“Basically, we are here in Borno to see the work level in the Alau dam.

“Initially, this dam was built as a source of drinking water, but with the renewed agenda of the hope of President Bola Tinubu, approved the sum of n80 billion for its reconstruction and updating.

“Borno State is known for agriculture and the mandate that has been given to us is to guarantee adequate food production and in line with that, when we were planning the update of this dam, we captured that aspect.

“Once completed, the Alau dam will act as water supply for Maiduguri and its surroundings, irrigation and for the future generation of hydroelectric energy,” said the minister.

According to him, the contract was divided into two phases with the first phase that should end in September this year, while the second phase would began in October and would end in March 2027.

“The essence of the first phase is to mitigate or prevent floods for this season, because the construction of the dam is not easy during the rainy season.

“The second phase should start in October and will end in March 2027, when the dam is completely reconstructed.

He praised President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the Governor Babagana Zulum for their commitment in the project in view of its importance for the people of Borno and the country in general.

The minister, however, took advantage of the opportunity and appealed to the government and the people of Borno to undertake an awareness campaign to the local farmers of the Alau community to stop the sowing crops in the embankment of the dam, currently under reconstruction.

He also urged the residents to be calm and not entertained any fear for any possible flooding from the overflow of the dam.