No More Excuses!’ Zulum, Shehu Issue Final Warning To FG Over Flood Threat In BornoBorno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, have called on the Federal Government to expedite the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam to prevent another flooding disaster in Maiduguri and surrounding communities.
The appeal was made during the Shehu’s traditional Sallah homage to the governor at the Government House in Maiduguri. Both leaders expressed serious concerns over the slow pace of the dam project, stressing the urgency as the rainy season approaches.
Governor Zulum noted that although a groundbreaking ceremony was held in March, actual progress on-site has been underwhelming. He revealed that he had already briefed both the President and Vice President on the situation and assured the Shehu and the people of Borno that he would not relent in pushing for federal intervention.
“In the interim,” Zulum said, “the Secretary to the State Government has formed a committee to carry out immediate interventions at the dam site while we await full-scale federal execution.”
The Federal Government had previously approved ₦80 billion for the project aimed at preventing a repeat of the devastating flood of September 10, 2024, which caused widespread destruction in Maiduguri.
Governor Zulum also reiterated his administration’s commitment to connecting all local government headquarters to the national electricity grid before the end of his tenure. Additionally, he mentioned that once the Pulka Quarry plant is completed, massive road rehabilitation projects would commence across Borno State.
“Insecurity has slowed us down, but we have procured 40 new Howo tipper trucks. Once the quarry is up and running, we will fix our roads,” he said.
In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno praised Governor Zulum’s developmental strides and emphasized the critical need for urgent federal action on the Alau Dam project, noting that the first phase should have been completed by now. He cited recent floods in Mokwa as a stark reminder of what could happen if the dam project continues to stall.
The traditional ruler also urged the governor to follow up with the federal authorities on other key matters, including oil exploration in Tuba, road repairs, and power supply for rural communities.
Governor Zulum also received Sallah homage from several institutions and agencies, including the University of Maiduguri, Kashim Ibrahim University, UMTH, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, and the Federal Orthopaedic Hospital in Azare.
