Days after 70% of Maiduguri was submerged by flood killing almost 40 people and destroying houses, the federal government has begun a plan for the immediate upgrading of the Alau Dam in the State which caused the flooding.
In a press statement signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Funmi Imuetinyan, the commencement of the upgrading will help to prevent constant overflow of the dam and permanently solve the issue of flooding in the area.
The statement stated that the decision to upgrade the dam was made during the visit of the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, to Maiduguri to see the extent of damage done by the flood.
The minister was accompanied by the Minister of State, Bello Goronyo, technical directors, water experts, heads of agencies, and senior government officials.
It noted that during the visit, critical assessments of the flood incident were taken with a view to finding lasting solutions to perennial flooding in the region which always claims lives and paralyses economic activities.
The statement quoted the Minister to have said that a team of experts have been deployed to Borno State for a comprehensive evaluation of the dam and proffers solutions.
“We are committed to a thorough overhaul of this critical infrastructure. The Alau Dam upgrade is non-negotiable, and any poor performance by contractors or officials involved will not go unpunished. Sanctions will be enforced for any delays or substandard work,” the statement stated.
To prevent waterborne diseases from spreading in the aftermath of the recent flooding, the Minister said that the federal government is making efforts to provide necessary medical assistance to prevent the disease from spreading.
Some of the measures Utsev promised included provision of sanitation kits and water treatment facilities to displaced persons.
Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, who received the delegation appreciated the ministers and their team for the visit to condole with the state.
Governor Zulum said it is important for the federal government to carry out a detailed assessment of the capacity of the dam and come up with ways to forestall future occurrences of the incident as well as be able to forecast such future incidents.
The governor made a case for desertification, investing in clean energy and irrigation systems which would help to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
