Defects in Alau Dam in Maiduguri which were discovered over nine years ago are reportedly responsible for the overflow of the dam, which resulted in the recent massive flood that submerged parts of metropolitan area of the Borno State capital, and also parts of Jere Local Government Area.
These are revelations being made by some experts and public affairs analysts, following the flood incident which has caused the loss of countless lives, and properties whose values are yet to be ascertained.
Documents obtained by Daily Trust have also shown that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources had budgeted over N432,000,000 for the rehabilitation of the dam between 2020 and 2024.
The Alau Dam, which is almost 40 years old, was constructed between 1984 and 1986.
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The dam had poured out its content into Maiduguri in September 1994, exactly 30 years ago; but those with knowledge of what happened then said the recent flood and the accompanying damage to livelihoods and infrastructure had never been witnessed in the history of Borno State.
Experts blame negligence and misappropriation the recent incident, as against the claim by the Minister of Water Resources, Joseph Utsev, who attributed the development to climate change.
It would be recalled that the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, after a visit to the dam a few days before the flooding, assured residents that the facility was not broken and that there was no need to panic.
‘Budgetary provisions’
A document reviewed by the Daily Trust showed that there have been consistent provisions for the maintenance of the Alau Dam by the federal government, even as no evidence has been found to prove that the repairs were carried out.
The breakdown of the budgetary allocation shows that N285,096,278 was allocated for the rehabilitation of the dam in 2020.
In 2021, N80 million was budgeted for the same purpose, while in 2022, the sum of N37,593,714 was again allocated for same.
In the 2024 appropriation bill, the ministry also budgeted N30 million for the dam.
But despite these, experts said available information showed that the dam was defective and could not contain the magnitude of water coming in, which led to its overflow.
It is not clear whether all the monies budgeted over the years had been released for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the dam, which has been the source of potable water and irrigation activities in Maiduguri and environs.
Daily Trust is also exploring sources to ascertain how much was actually spent on the dam in the past decades.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Dallah Ali Ibrahim, to get their reaction on all the monies earmarked for the rehabilitation of the dam yielded no result up till the time of filing this report yesterday.
However, a source in the ministry told the Daily Trust that the allocations, except that of 2024, had been released.
The source, who declined further comment, directed our reporter to visit the ministry on Tuesday to meet those who have the mandate to speak on the matter.
An Ilorin-based water engineer, Toyin Ajeigbe, told our correspondent on phone that although the authorities had denied that there were defects in the dam prior to the incident, available information had shown that the dam was partly damaged.
He said when such defects occurred in a dam, there was possibility for such dam not to be able to absorb the amount of water it was designed for, and the result would be the overflow which actually happened.
Our correspondents learnt that the Alau Dam had the capacity to retain 112 million cubic litres of water, but sources said it was overwhelmed this time around.
The dam receives water from the Yedzram and Gombole rivers, which meet at the Sambisa Forest and flow through the Ngadda River into the dam.
Engr. Ajeigbe advised the federal government to quickly move in and fix the dam once the water recedes.
The federal government had at the weekend insisted that the dam did not collapse, attributing the overflow to climate change and excessive rainfall.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Prof. Utsev, who extended the government’s condolences to the people of Borno State, said a team of technical experts from the ministry, various agencies, and the Chad Basin Development Authority were currently assessing the damage and working on solutions.
Dam neglected for years – Zulum
Speaking with Channels Television on Saturday, Governor Babagana Zulum said that neglect of the dam over the years had been a major challenge and that efforts will be made to remedy the situation.
“Rescue mission is ongoing, but quite a number of people were rescued. So, this is the situation we are in. We had similar disaster 30 years ago, although the extent is not up to this one.
“But I believe the dam requires reconstruction. Now that we receive increase volume of water into the dam, coupled with climate change, there is the need to increase the carrying capacity of the dam.
“You are right, and most importantly, siltation of the river banks and waterways are also one of the biggest problems that we are facing. Another problem we are facing is human factor. They are building houses right inside waterways.
“We stopped them; we demolished between 4,000 and 5,000 houses when I became governor. But you know, in a democratic society, although I am resilient, but people were complaining that I was trying to displace them.
“People were thinking government was trying to displace them, but many have seen what has happened. But above all, this year’s rainy season is high and devastating.
“As a government, we would work on early warning systems so that the communities would be sensitised on the dangers inherent in some actions,” he said.
It’s been in bad shape for nine years – Report
Despite reasons given by relevant stakeholders, a research conducted by Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri revealed that the Alau Dam had been in distress for nearly nine years.
The findings of the report were revealed by a popular social media skitmaker, Bello Habib Galadanci, popularly known as Dan Bello.
The research was conducted in 2015 by four students of the polytechnic.
His TikTok at the weekend displayed the research documents in a four-minute video explainer.
According to the abstract of the project, which focused on identifying the problems and prospects of Alau Dam construction, the researchers – Babagana A. Dungus, Bello S. A. and Kolo B. S. – had nine years ago raised the alarm on the negligence in management of the dam.
They suggested that there was the need to carry out de-sedimentation and expansion of the dam and the regulations in its management.
Dan Bello, while quoting the researchers, added that since 2015, it was discovered that the Alau Dam had not been accorded good maintenance and was holding water double its capacity, which rendered it overstressed.
Dan Bello said apart from Alau Dam, there are other dams in need of urgent attention and called on relevant authorities to act fast before another disaster befell citizens.
He listed the Dadin Kowa Dam in Gombe State, Challawa Dam in Kano State, Zobe Dam in Katsina State, Kiri Dam in Adamawa State, Gubi Dam in Bauchi State and Bakalori Dam in Sokoto State, and many others that are at least three to four decades old.
Dan Bello further claimed that his findings from the communities living around the Alau Dam, water had been retained and was not adequately released for agricultural purposes.
He equally called out the Borno State government for not paying the desired attention to the dam.
But a group, the Borno Concerned Citizens said Governor Zulum had shown genuine concern for his people by dispatching a delegation to visit and see the condition of the dam, following the unprecedented increase in the volume of rainfall this year.
“Our inquiry revealed that Borno’s delegation was received by the dam managers (Chad Basin Development Authority, CBDA) who briefed and gave assurances that the dam has no ‘engineering deficit and therefore poses no threat’, Alkassim Modu, who is the Publicity Secretary of the group, said.
“Equally concerned by the increasing volume of rain, Zulum ordered the activation of all government machinery on the 7th of September, to prepare for the eventuality of a flood. Zulum also issued a warning that the unprecedented increase in the volume of rainfall this year could lead to flooding in Maiduguri.
“This shows that the Borno State Government took cautionary measures and informed every one of the possible dangers ahead.
“Zulum, within the power of the Borno State Government made necessary efforts to avert the disaster, but unfortunately, the high volume of water overwhelmed the dam and all efforts to prevent Maiduguri from being flooded.
“The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Chad Basin Development Authority are solely responsible for maintaining the dam and are mandated to conduct regular assessments and maintenance,” the group said.
Fear of disease grows as government decries harmful practices
As waters continued to recede in some parts of Maiduguri after last week’s devastating flood, the Borno State government yesterday issued a warning against harmful practices and breach of security. Thousands of residents affected by the flood have been struggling to access safe water to cook and drink in most of the affected communities.
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Information and Internal Security urged residents to take their personal health, hygiene and public security seriously.
It said: “Members of the public should desist from buying, selling, processing or consuming contaminated grains or other food items that were salvaged from flooded stores. Any food that was mixed with the flood water constitutes a serious health risk.
“Desist from butchering, distributing, processing, selling, bullying or consuming dead animals. Dead animals are poisonous.
“Desist from pilfering, vandalising and tampering with public or private property. Not to consume, swim or bath in dirty or stagnant water. Even when boiled, dirty water contains dangerous chemicals and pathogens that are dangerous to health. Anyone who violates this warning shall face the wrath of the law,” it said.
Medical equipment underwater at UMTH
Daily Trust reports that there are fears of radioactive contamination from the radiology laboratory at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), which was reportedly submerged by the flood.
But the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, said it was within acceptable limit.
In an interview with our correspondent yesterday, Dr Ahidjo said: “We advise that everybody should not use this (flood) water for drinking and should keep away from it for fear of certain infections and some form of chemical effect to the human body.
“We should avoid being close to such contaminated water until it is cleansed and fumigated.
“And you know, fumigation is generally for infectious agents not for the chemicals aspect, so one has to be very cautious in coming in contact with this water,” he said.
Ahidjo also admitted that some of the chemicals, drugs and consumables in the hospital were either washed away or contaminated by the flood.
“The first fear we had in the hospital was radioactive contamination, because some of the machines that we have in the cancer centre are Cobalt-60 (a by-product of nuclear reactor operation).
“But we invited our own medical physicists; they did documentary assessment and said the level of the nuclear radio activity emissions is still within acceptable limit.
“In addition, I called the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), and they have approved radiation safety officers. We invited one of the registered officers who assessed the place and confirmed to us that there is no contamination.
“So, the fear of contamination is low at this stage, but there is the fear of infections and chemicals that are at the sewage disposal (area),” he said.
Last Tuesday, the Chairman, Association of Resident Doctors, Abubakar Ngubdo, warned that disease spread had become a major concern for the authorities to tackle.
He said there was high risk of water-borne diseases, as the flood had contaminated surface water in the town.
“There would be pollution because corpses floated, sewages, septic tanks and refuse dumps are also there, so there would be contamination of water,” he said.
Residents adamant
Our correspondent who went round the state capital, however, observed many survivors using the flood water for their domestic activities and purposes.
One of them, Muhammad Adamu, who was seen washing clothes near the flood waters at Sabon Gari, said he was a dry cleaner before the flood submerged his house.
“I was able to save my family and salvage my customers’ clothes from the house, which is why you see me washing them.
“My wife, children and hundreds of neighbours are taking refuge in that secondary school (pointing at the school). (Governor) Babagana Zulum went and gave them N10,000 each but I have to come out to work in order to buy some food for my large family.
“Drinking water has become problem in the camp. We were told not to drink any water; that the water is contaminated, but we don’t have money to keep buying pure water for our large families,” he said.
Another survivor around Gidan Madara area in the metropolis, who gave his name as Idris, was seen spreading grains and chaff to dry.
Idris said he salvaged the soaked grains and chaff from the flood water that submerged his home.
“When the water receded, I went to assess the house and found that my grains and wheat husk were soaked in the water. I brought them here to dry them,” he said.
Asked what he intends to do with the grains, he said, “I will sell the husk as animal feed and use the grain when it dries up”.
At the various relief camps where Daily Trust visited, water tanks were seen stationed to provide water to the displaced people there.
People were seen struggling with containers to fetch water in turns, while officials of Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA) were on ground to monitor and ensure hygiene.
At the Bakassi Camp, which houses hundreds of survivors, one of the BOSEPA officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, complained that open defecation has become too rampant for them to handle.
“Enough pit latrines were constructed but these people would not use them; they defecate on the ground and put the lives of others at risk.
“We are overwhelmed, we don’t know how to handle this people,” he said.
Ya Fati is one of the survivors taking refuge in the camp. She complained that the toilets were not clean, forcing people to resort to open defecation.
Kano gov donates N100 million to Borno flood victims
The Kano State government has donated N100 million to victims of the recent floods in Borno.
The cheque was presented by the Commissioner of Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, and his Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Eradication counterpart, Hajiya Amina Sani, on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The presentation was made at the Borno Government House in Maiduguri, and was received by Governor Babagana Zulum.
Yusuf expressed sympathy for the victims, describing the humanitarian crisis as “catastrophic.”
He called for widespread support for the affected people, and emphasised the need for collective efforts to address such disasters.
Yusuf reaffirmed Kano State’s solidarity with Borno in the current difficult time.
The governor prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the flood, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
He highlighted the longstanding, brotherly and cordial relationship between Kano and Borno States.
In his response, Zulum expressed profound gratitude to the Kano State Government for its generous support.
He assured the donors that the money would be used judiciously for the benefit of the flood victims.
“The donation exemplifies the unity and shared commitment of Nigerian states in times of crisis,” he said.
WHO pledges support for Borno
The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged to support the federal government and the Borno State government in responding to the impact of flooding in the state.
A statement from WHO yesterday said that its representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, made the pledge during a visit to Maiduguri.
He said he was in the state to assess the impact of the flooding and commiserate with the displaced communities.
Mulombo said the needs among the displaced communities were huge, adding that 14 health facilities have been cut off and a lot of mothers, children affected.
While saying that WHO will help address the health challenges, he commended the Borno State government for its efforts in responding to the flooding so far.
He said: “For those who don’t believe climate change is real, we are witnessing the devastation done here. Health facilities have been cut off. Some laboratories are affected. The communities need support. So we are here to assess the need, and to contribute to what the state government is doing.”
He said WHO was working in collaboration with other partners in mitigating the impact of the crises, adding that the UN Country Team, had activated an emergency response mechanism coordinated by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The Borno State Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, thanked WHO for its swift response the flooding in the state.
He said the immediate needs of those affected by the flood in the state include shelter, food, and healthcare services.
He also called on other partners to assist the state in responding to the crises.
NAF airlifts aid to flood-hit Maiduguri residents
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced airlift missions to transport relief materials to victims of the recent flood disaster affecting Maiduguri and its surrounding communities in Borno.
This is contained in a statement by Group Capt. Kabir Ali, the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information of NAF, on Sunday in Abuja.
Ali said the airlift mission was in fulfilment of NAF’s statutory role of providing Military Aid to Civil Authority (MACA).
He said the materials being airlifted were donated by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), aimed at alleviating the suffering caused by the floods, which had disrupted daily life, destroyed properties, and displaced millions of residents.
According to him, the airlift which commenced on Sept. 14, had the first batch of relief items of 300 bags of 50kg rice, was successfully delivered to NAF Base in Maiduguri via the NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft.
“The Air Component Commander, Air Commodore UU Idris, received the materials and handed over same to the Commissioner for Inter-Governmental and Special Duties, Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim, who was accompanied by the Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service, MD Malah.
“Also, heavy-duty trucks provided by the NAF were also used to transport the materials to the Borno State Government House for onward distribution.
“Additionally, the NAF has launched a medical outreach programme to support flood victims.
“This initiative includes the provision of medications, food, and water supplies to help mitigate the effects of the flood and address the urgent needs of the affected population,” he said.
Ali added that the NAF’s airlift mission and medical outreach were part of a broader effort to support national disaster response initiatives and highlight the critical role of military assets in humanitarian crises.
He said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, had directed that such operations must continue as needed, ensuring that both relief materials and medical aid reached all affected areas.
“Under the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff, the NAF will persistently collaborate with other security agencies to mobilise human and material resources for the support of flood victims.
“These operations will be sustained as long as necessary to ensure that relief effectively reaches those affected by this disaster,” Ali assured. (NAN)
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