The Federal Government has begun a comprehensive review and overhaul of dam infrastructure nationwide, beginning with the Alau Dam in Borno State, which was affected by the flood disaster on September 9, 2024.
Engr. Aliyu Ibrahim Dallah, Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, made this disclosure during an assessment visit to the dam on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The Director of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mrs.Funmi Imuetinyan in a statement said ,the delegation, which included officials from the Federal Ministries of Environment, Works, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, and other water experts, was sent to assess the structural integrity of the Alau Dam and recommend sustainable solutions to prevent future flooding.
According to Engr. Dallah, the proposed measures would include raising the dam’s reservoir level, desilting, and other interventions to enhance its resilience against natural disasters.
Engr. Dallah further emphasised that similar assessments would be conducted at other critical dam sites across Nigeria.
“Our mission is to evaluate the current condition of the Alau Dam, assess its impact on surrounding communities, and propose both immediate and long-term solutions. This review is part of a broader strategy to secure Nigeria’s dam infrastructure,” Engr. Dallah stated.
He further explained that President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee to oversee the nationwide reevaluation of dams.
The committee, chaired by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has created a dedicated Technical Sub-Committee to address the specific needs of each dam across the country.
This sub-committee, led by Engr. Dallah, includes experts from the Ministries of Water Resources and Sanitation, Works and Housing, Environment, Budget and Finance, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGF), among others.
Engr. Dallah underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to completing these reviews before the next rainy season.
“We are prioritizing the safety and security of critical dams, not only the Alau Dam but also others such as the Kiri, Dadin Kowa, and Kourz dams in the North-East, as well as key dams across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones,” he said.
He added that the government’s proactive approach reflects its broader commitment to safeguarding national infrastructure and protecting communities from the growing risks posed by climate change-related disasters.
