Maiduguri: The Federal Government on Thursday said the N80 billion Alau Dam upgrade project in Borno is designed to boost irrigation and generate hydroelectric power when fully completed in 2027.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made this known during a working visit to the project site at the Alau community, near Maiduguri.
“We are here in Borno to see the level of work at the Alau dam.
Initially, this dam was constructed as a source of drinking water, but with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, he has approved the sum of N80 billion for its reconstruction and upgrade.
“Borno State is known for farming, and the mandate given to us is to ensure adequate food production, and in line with that, when we were designing the upgrade of this dam, we captured that aspect.
“When completed, the Alau dam will serve as a water supply to Maiduguri and its environs, irrigation, and for future hydroelectric power generation,” the minister said.
According to him, the contract was divided into two phases, with the first phase expected to end in September this year, while the second phase would start in October and end in March 2027.
“The essence of the first phase is to mitigate or prevent flooding for this season because construction of the dam is not easy during the rainy season.
“The second phase is scheduled to commence in October and will conclude in March 2027, when the dam will be fully reconstructed.
He lauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Gov. Babagana Zulum for their commitment to the project given its importance to the people of Borno and the country in general.
The minister, however, seized the opportunity to appeal to the Government and people of Borno to conduct a sensitisation campaign among local farmers in the Alau community, urging them to refrain from planting crops at the dam’s embankment, which is currently under reconstruction.
He also urged the residents to remain calm and not fear any possible flooding from the dam’s overflow.