By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) has added his voice by calling on the federal government especially the ministry of Water Resources to expedite action and complete the reconstruction process of the collapsed Alau Dam which stretches inbetween Konduga and Jere local government areas of Borno state.

Recall that on 10th September, 2024, Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas experienced devastated flooding, leaving many people dead and property worth billions of naira submerged.

In response, the Federal Government approved to N80 billion for the dam’s reconstruction and expansion, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in March 2025 to mark the commencement of the project, but our Correspondent observed that the progress of work is at slow pace.

It was also gathered that Governor Babagana Zulum while responding to a request by the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, on the need to fast tract the project, during the traditional Sallah homage at the Government House in Maiduguri, expressed concern over the slow pace of the work, warning that the rainy season has already begun.

Ndume while adding his voice in an interview with Newsmen on Sunday, reiterated the need for the federal government to live up to expectation, to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters, particularly anticipated floods in Borno and other states, based on the 2025 predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

He said, this became necessary to avoid repeat of what befell some communities in Borno, where many lives were lost and property worth billions of naira destroyed due to the collapse of the dykes of Alau Dam.

His words: “As we prepare for the 2025 rainy season, let me call on the federal government especially the federal ministry of Water Resources to expedite action and complete the reconstruction process of the collapsed Alau Dam which stretches inbetween Konduga and Jere local government areas of Borno state.

“It is gratifying that the Federal Government has approved N80 billion for the dam’s reconstruction and expansion, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in March 2025 to mark the commencement of the project, but it is unfortunate that the progress of work is at slow pace.

“I understand that even His Excellency, Governor Babagana Zulum while responding to a request by the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, on the need to fast tract the project, during the traditional Sallah homage at the Government House in Maiduguri, expressed concern over the slow pace of the work, warning that the rainy season has already begun.

” I want to add my voice, and reiterated the need for the federal government to live up to expectation, to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters, particularly anticipated floods in Borno and other states, based on the 2025 predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

“This is very important so as to avoid repeat of what befell some communities in Borno, where many lives were lost and property worth billions of naira destroyed due to the collapse of the dykes of Alau Dam last year”. Ndume stated.