Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, , Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation
The Federal Government has taken a monumental step toward safeguarding communities and revitalizing economic activities in Borno State with the official flag-off of the ₦80 billion Reconstruction and Upgrade of Alau Dam in Maiduguri. The project, executed under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring water security, flood mitigation, and sustainable development for millions in the Northeast.
Leading the groundbreaking ceremony at the dam site, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, emphasized the project’s significance as a national priority following the devastating September 10, 2024, flood that wreaked havoc on Maiduguri and surrounding communities. He noted that President Tinubu’s swift intervention, based on recommendations from the Technical Committee on Evaluation of Dams, enabled the approval of the ₦80 billion upgrade to strengthen flood defenses and enhance irrigation, water supply, and energy generation.
The project, structured in two phases, will begin with immediate flood mitigation measures (March–September 2025), followed by a comprehensive structural enhancement (October 2025–March 2027). Prof. Utsev reassured the people of Borno State of the ministry’s dedication to delivering quality, safety, and environmental sustainability in execution. He called on contractors to uphold the highest engineering standards and urged community leaders to support the initiative, stressing that the Alau Dam represents resilience and progress for the region.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, mni, commended the Federal Government’s commitment to Borno State, highlighting the project’s socio-economic benefits, including potable water supply, irrigation expansion, flood control, and hydroelectric power potential. He called for both phases to run concurrently, ensuring rapid restoration of waterways critical for agriculture and livelihoods.
In his address, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, alongside Senator Kenneth Eze, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Water Resources, and Rt. Hon. Sada Soli, Chairman, House Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, praised the strategic importance of the Alau Dam rehabilitation, pledging legislative support for its successful completion.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, extended gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and key government officials for their roles in bringing the project to fruition. He also acknowledged the Shehu of Borno, engineers, and project consultants for their commitment to transforming the dam into a pillar of resilience for future generations.
Providing technical insights, Engr. Ali Dallah, Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations, detailed the scope of work, including the reconstruction of dykes 1A and 1B as a single structure, a new auxiliary spillway, rehabilitation of dykes 1C, 2, and 3, expansion of penstock pipes, and safety management training.
The event’s high point was the official flag-off by Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, marking a historic milestone for Borno State. With the support of federal and state governments, stakeholders, and the local community, the Alau Dam’s transformation is set to redefine water security and economic revitalization in the Northeast.
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