Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

FG approves N80bn for reconstruction of Borno Alau Dam

POSTED ON February 5, 2025 •   Politics      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
President Bola Tinubu

Borno, NIgeria - President Bola Tinubu, while overseeing the second day of the Federal Executive Council meeting, has approved N80 billion for the urgent reconstruction and expansion of Alau Dam in Borno State. 

Located in the Alau Community of Konduga Local Government Area in Nigeria’s Northeast, Alau Dam was built between 1984 and 1986. It collects water from a significant reservoir on the Ngadda River, one of the Lake Chad tributaries.

In 2024, the dam failed, resulting in devastating flooding in Borno State that led to over 150 fatalities and displaced at least 419,000 individuals.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, announced that Tinubu’s approval came during the Council meeting, following the submission of a report from the Ministerial Committee established on September 23, 2024, which he chaired to evaluate dams across Nigeria.

Prof. Utsev mentioned that this committee, which included ministers of finance, environment, works, information, and the National Security Adviser, was inaugurated on October 2, 2024.

“The committee's mandate was to evaluate all dams in the country and provide recommendations regarding their optimal use for water supply, flood control, irrigation, and fish farming, among other purposes.

“A sub-committee was formed, including members from the Nigeria Society of Engineers, the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and the Council of Dam Experts in Nigeria.

The committee promptly began its task and produced recommendations for approximately 35 dams that have been assessed so far. “The interim report was presented to the Federal Executive Council. We encountered several challenges due to flooding that occurred on September 10 of last year.

“The designs, analyses, and details of Alau Dam were completed and presented to the sub-committee. This report was submitted to the President, who graciously approved N80 billion for the immediate reconstruction and expansion of Alau Dam in Borno State. Now, the approval for the rehabilitation of Alau Dam has been given by President, pending ratification by the Federal Executive Council once all required processes are followed.

“The Borno State government is collaborating with the sub-committee and the Nigerian Security Advisory Office to initiate the project, with hopes that by this July, the first phase of the work will commence, ensuring that there is no flooding in Maiduguri this year. Subsequent aspects like desilting are expected to begin by December this year. The project is projected to span a duration of 24 months.”

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has declined to assent to the Federal University of Education Numan, Adamawa State (Establishment) Bill, 2024.

 The President communicated his decision in a letter to the House of Representatives, which was read on the floor by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

The bill aimed to establish a Federal University of Education in Numan, Adamawa State, but Tinubu’s rejection means it will not be enacted into law unless the National Assembly takes additional legislative measures.

The National Assembly had previously passed a bill sponsored by Senator Binos Yaroe from Adamawa South Senatorial District in 2024 and submitted it to President Bola Tinubu for approval.

However, in his reply, President Tinubu expressed concerns over Section 22 of the bill, which grants the Adamawa State Governor control over land belonging to a federal institution.

The President underscored that federal government-owned property matters, particularly those concerning federal universities, are under his authority.

Tinubu referred to Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to formally relay his decision, made on December 23, 2024, to withhold his approval of the bill passed by the National Assembly. “I am declining assent to the bill as Section 22 bestows authority over the disposal of the university's land on the state governor instead of the President, who should be the one overseeing land owned by the federal government,” the letter indicated.

During a stakeholders’ forum in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State last week, Senator Yaroe clarified that President Bola Tinubu did not outright reject the proposed bill but merely pointed out clerical mistakes needing correction.

The senator explained that the President’s feedback was aimed at ensuring the bill complies with constitutional provisions.

“The President identified certain errors in the bill that must be rectified according to the constitution. For instance, we incorrectly granted land disposal authority to the governor instead of the President, who is the legitimate visitor to the institution. We will amend the bill by replacing ‘governor’ with ‘president’,” he stated.

The House subsequently adjourned plenary until Wednesday, February 5, 2025, to honor the late Deputy Whip, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, who passed away on January 15. Onanuga, who was 59, represented the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State.

A dedicated legislator, she also chaired the House Committee on Women Affairs in the 9th Assembly.

READ ALSO
Obi Urges Tougher Penalties for Corruption amid Nigeria's Leadership Crisis
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

Peter Obi, a prominent opposition figure in Nigeria, has called for harsher penalties for corrupt po...

READ ALSO
Police Re-Arraign VeryDarkMan for Alleged Cyberbullying of  Nollywood Actress, others
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Controversial social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Th...

READ ALSO
House of Representatives Advances Bill to Make Voting Mandatory for Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria- The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to am...

READ ALSO
NANS Calls for JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede's Resignation Over 2025 UTME Errors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the resignation of Ishaq Oloyede...

READ ALSO
DSS vs. Pat Utomi: Legal Battle Over Shadow Government Tests Nigeria’s Democratic Boundaries
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 15, 2025 0

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a lawsuit against Prof. Pat Utomi, a renowned eco...

READ ALSO
Shadow Government or Civic Protest? Experts Debate What Pat Utomi's Move Really Means
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 15, 2025 0

ABUJA – As the Department of State Services (DSS) seeks to shut down Prof. Pat Utomi’s s...

READ ALSO
Nasarawa Assembly Enacts Mining Bill to Ensure Compliance and Community Welfare
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

NASARAWA, Nigeria - The Nasarawa House of Assembly On Tuesday approved a mining bill aimed at regula...

READ ALSO
CDS Urges Vigilance and Unity among Troops in Fight Against Insurgency
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 13, 2025 0

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, praised the troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA...

OUR CHANNELS:

US Economic Growth to Decelerate Amid Trade Tensions, Policy Uncertainties
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has indicated that the global...


Trade Tensions Rise as South Korea and U.S. Prepare for Key Discussions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

AFP - South Korea is prepared to restart tariff discussions with Washington during an important APEC...


Obi Urges Tougher Penalties for Corruption amid Nigeria's Leadership Crisis
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

Peter Obi, a prominent opposition figure in Nigeria, has called for harsher penalties for corrupt po...


ECOWAS Court Orders Nigeria to Release Businessman Imprisoned Since 2009
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

The Economic Community of West African States Court on Thursday has mandated the Nigerian Federal Go...


Sanwo-Olu Establishes Apapa Central Business Office to Enhance Infrastructure, Business Climate
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sanctioned the creation of the Apapa Central Business...


NBS Reports April 2025 Inflation Rate Falls to 23.71%, Highlighting Food Safety Risks
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

The inflation rate for April 2025 dropped to 23.71 percent, down from 24.23 percent in March 2025, m...


Police Re-Arraign VeryDarkMan for Alleged Cyberbullying of  Nollywood Actress, others
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Controversial social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Th...


Actress Jumoke George Shares Emotional Journey as Daughter Adeola is Found
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Adeola, the 41-year-old daughter of renowned Yoruba actress Jumoke George, has been located in Mali...


House of Representatives Advances Bill to Make Voting Mandatory for Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria- The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to am...


NANS Calls for JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede's Resignation Over 2025 UTME Errors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 17, 2025 0

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the resignation of Ishaq Oloyede...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu