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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.
