Borno Govt Inaugurates Technical Committee To Determine Immediate, Remote Causes Of Alau Dam Collapse

Borno govt inaugurates technical committee to determine immediate, remote causes of Alau Dam collapse

– presents N20 billion for rebuilding and support to victims of flood

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri

The Borno State Government has inaugurated 28 man committee to examine and ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the collapse, Alau Dam which resulted in the flooding of Maiduguri Metropolis and its surrounding local government areas.

While inaugurating the committee at the Government House Maiduguri on Saturday, the Borno state Governor, Prof, Babagana Zulum said the commission has two weeks from the date of inauguration within which to submit it’s report.

The dam which was constructed between 1984 and 1986 to provide water for irrigation and domestic use for inhabitants of Maiduguri and its environs but was collapsed on September 10, 2024 causing severe flooding that displaced nearly 2 million people and destroyed several properties.

“The committee has the following terms of reference, determine the immediate and remote causes of the 2024 flood disaster, undertake comprehensive assessment of Alau Dam Structural integrity, Asses the extent of damage of the Dam, recommend immediate and remote to forestall future occurance- and liase with the Federal Government committee on determining the structural integrity of all Dam in Nigeria, recommend appropriate measures to forestall future occurance-“, he said.

“The committee has two weeks from the day of its inauguration to submit it’s reports to the Executive Governor of Borno state. On this note it is my singular honor and privilege to inaugurate this committee to the Glory of God”, he added.

The Governor also released the sum of N20 billion to the technical committee and the flood disbursement committee, N10 billion each to the both committees.

He said the N10 billion is allocated to the flood relief disbursement committee for the support to the victims of the committee and N10 billion for the rebuilding of public infrastructure, roads and bridges.

He assured that no single Kobo will be diverted and the speedy completion of the exercise, stressing that 50 percent of the N10 billion will be spend on the procurement of food and non food to be distributed to the victims of the flood, while remaining will be channeled on the support to the victims.

The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, state governments , the military, ministries agencies cooperate organisations and individuals that contributed to the basket fund of the flood victims.

The Committee is to be chaired by Engr. Abba Garba and Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Water Resources as Co-Chairman.

Others includes the Representative of Flood Control Committee ,, Representative of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE),, Rep. of Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN), Representative of Nigerian Institute of Surveyors, Representative of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Representative of the University of Maiduguri, Special Adviser to His Excellency on Security,, Engr. Mohammed Sanda, Engr. Babagana Moruma,, Engr. Tahiru Barde Mshelia,, Engr. Kefas Jaduwa, , Surveyor John Nuhu , Representative of Nigerian Army, Representative of Nigeria Police Force, Borno State Command, Representative of Nigerian Security & Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), Representative of Department of State Services (DSS),, Rep. of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and Representative of North East Development Commission (NEDC)) as Members..

Other members were Representative of Ministry of Works and Housing, Representative of Ministry of Environment, Rep. of Ministry for Local Government & Emirate Affairs,. Rep. of Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board , Representative of His Royal Highness, Shehu of Borno, Representative of the World Bank and Representative of the United Nations (UN), Ag. Managing Director, Chad Basin Development Authority(CBDA) would serve as Secretary

Speaking on behalf of the members of the committee, the chairman, Engr Abba Garba said despite the harculian task ahead of the committee, he , assured that they’ll do their best to justify their appointments.