The Federal Government has issued a warning to the Niger Delta and southern states to prepare for potential flooding. This announcement comes alongside a clarification regarding the recent devastating flood in Maiduguri, Borno State.
During a press briefing, Engineer Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, addressed concerns about the Maiduguri flood. He confirmed that the flood was caused by the overflow of the Ngadda River, not by the collapse of the Alau Dam, as previously speculated.
Utsev explained that the Alau Dam remained intact, but excessive inflows from the Ngadda River, a major tributary of the River Yedzaram, overwhelmed the dam’s dyke. The dam did not collapse; rather, the dyke could not contain the surplus water.
Alongside the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, Utsev visited the flood-affected areas to assess the damage and offer condolences to the people of Borno State. He pledged a comprehensive overhaul and upgrade of the Alau Dam, emphasizing that any poor performance by contractors or officials will be addressed sternly.
The Minister also promised to provide sanitation kits and water treatment facilities to displaced individuals as part of the ministry’s immediate response. He explained that the delay in providing assistance was due to prior inspections in the southwest but assured that the Alau Dam would be prioritized.
Utsev noted, “We did not anticipate that the water levels this year would reach such a magnitude. Climate change has led to excessive rainfall, overwhelming the rivers. The water that exceeded expectations was channeled into the Alau Dam, causing it to overflow.”
The Federal Government expressed deep sympathy for the victims of the Maiduguri flood and recognized the widespread impact, including the destruction of homes, property, farmlands, roads, and critical infrastructure.