Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, have called on the Federal Government to urgently accelerate work on the Alau Dam rehabilitation and expansion project to avert another round of devastating floods in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.
The appeal was made during the Shehu’s traditional Sallah homage to Governor Zulum at the Government House in Maiduguri.
Governor Zulum expressed frustration over the sluggish progress of the project, which was officially flagged off in March following the Federal Government’s N80 billion approval earlier in the year. He warned that with the rainy season underway, delays in execution could lead to a repeat of the 2024 flood disaster that wreaked havoc on several communities.
“Despite the groundbreaking ceremony we all attended, the pace of work is far below expectations,” Zulum lamented. “I have already briefed the President and the Vice President on the situation, and I will not relent until something is done.”
To mitigate immediate risks, Zulum said a state-level committee had been set up to explore short-term interventions pending full federal execution.
In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno echoed the governor’s concerns, stressing the urgency of federal intervention.
“We cannot afford another disaster like the one we experienced in September last year. The Federal Government must act without delay,” the Shehu stated, also drawing attention to the recent flooding in Mokwa as a stark warning.
Beyond flood control, Governor Zulum also pledged to connect all local government headquarters in Borno State to the national power grid before the end of his administration. He further announced plans to commence large-scale road rehabilitation, hinging on the completion of the Pulka Quarry plant and the arrival of 40 new Howo tipper trucks.
“These are two critical priorities: electricity and road infrastructure. We are determined to deliver, Insha Allah,” he said.
The governor also received Sallah goodwill delegations from various institutions, including the University of Maiduguri, Kashim Ibrahim University, and several federal medical facilities.
