Borno Concerned Citizens have clarified that the Alau Dam, which recently overflowed, leading to devastating floods in Maiduguri, is owned and maintained by the federal government, not the Borno State Government.
In a statement issued Sunday by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Alkassim Modu, the group explained that the dam’s faulty infrastructure, which caused widespread flooding and displaced over two million people, should not be blamed on the state government.
“The Alau Dam, located in Konduga LGA, was constructed by the Federal Government between 1984 and 1986 to serve as a water reservoir for Maiduguri and surrounding communities,” the statement said. “Contrary to popular belief, the dam’s maintenance falls under the jurisdiction of the Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA), overseen by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.”
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the group noted, had taken proactive steps to mitigate the disaster, including dispatching a state delegation to assess the dam and raising public awareness about the potential for flooding due to unprecedented rainfall. Despite these efforts, the dam’s overflow, driven by the heavy rains, overwhelmed the city.
The group emphasized that the dam’s oversight remains a federal responsibility, with the CBDA charged with regular maintenance and safety assessments.
