Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has called on the Federal Government to urgently accelerate the reconstruction of the Alau Dam, warning of dire consequences if the project remains stalled as the 2025 rainy season begins.
The lawmaker made the appeal on Sunday during a media briefing in Maiduguri, where he expressed concern over the slow pace of ongoing work on the dam. The Alau Dam, which lies between Konduga and Jere local government areas, collapsed last year, triggering devastating floods that claimed lives and submerged property worth billions of naira across Maiduguri and surrounding areas.
In the wake of the 2024 disaster, the Federal Government approved N80 billion for the dam’s reconstruction and expansion. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in March 2025 to officially launch the project. Despite these commitments, on-ground progress has remained sluggish, raising anxiety among residents and state authorities.
Ndume’s remarks align with recent concerns raised by Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, who reportedly voiced his displeasure over the slow pace of the reconstruction during a traditional Sallah homage by the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, at the Government House in Maiduguri.
The senator urged the Ministry of Water Resources to speed up the process to avoid a repeat of last year’s disaster, noting that both the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have predicted a high risk of flooding in 2025.
“With the rainy season already upon us, it is imperative that the Federal Government lives up to expectations. The reconstruction of Alau Dam is not just an infrastructure project, it is a lifeline for the communities at risk,” Ndume said.
He added that urgent action is essential to safeguard lives and livelihoods in flood-prone parts of Borno and across other vulnerable regions in the country.
