Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has allayed fears over the rising water level at Alau Dam, assuring residents of Maiduguri and surrounding areas that there is no immediate cause for alarm.
The governor gave the assurance on Saturday during an inspection of ongoing reconstruction work at the dam, located near Maiduguri, the state capital.
Zulum acknowledged the widespread anxiety among residents but clarified that, based on expert assessments, the government does not anticipate any devastating flooding from the dam.
He explained that the government had acted swiftly following a contractor’s warning about the rising water levels. In response, 25 tongrains (heavy-duty equipment) were mobilised to the site to mitigate the threat, a move he said has brought the situation under control.
“We have taken proactive measures in collaboration with the contractor, and the situation is now stable,” the governor said. “The dam’s water level has dropped by about four inches in recent days, and engineers expect it to continue falling.”
Zulum credited the contractor for going beyond the original scope of work, including blocking certain waterways to enable further reconstruction efforts.
He emphasised the importance of ongoing monitoring of the dam, noting that while the immediate threat has been contained, the situation requires continuous observation.
“Based on current engineering analysis, there is no cause for alarm,” he reiterated. “However, we must remain vigilant, as the situation could change unexpectedly.”
The governor also used the opportunity to warn residents against practices that exacerbate flooding, such as dumping refuse in drainage channels and constructing buildings on natural waterways.
“I urge everyone to stop building on waterways and to take flood warnings seriously,” he said, stressing that proper maintenance of drainage systems was key to flood prevention.
Zulum revealed plans to review the city’s master plan to identify and correct legacy errors in urban development.
“We must review the entire master plan to ensure all tributaries and natural waterways are cleared and functional,” he said, adding that the government would enforce environmental regulations, even if some of the decisions may prove unpopular.
On the pace of reconstruction at the dam, the governor attributed earlier delays to technical factors but confirmed that work had now resumed in full.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for approving ₦80 billion for the Alau Dam reconstruction project.
