Groups Warn of Looming Flood Disaster in Maiduguri Over Delay in Alau Dam Repairs
MAIDUGURI/Nigeria: Two civil society organisations, the Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) and the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), have raised the alarm over the federal government’s failure to commence urgent repairs on the collapsed Alau Dam in Maiduguri, Borno State, warning that another devastating flood could strike the city as the rainy season sets in.
The groups accused the federal government of abandoning its promise to repair and expand the dam, which caved in last year following torrential rains that submerged over 70 percent of the state capital. Affected areas included Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, Bulabulin and several other communities. Notable landmarks such as the palace of the Shehu of Borno and major government facilities were also hit, with 80 percent of animals at the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo perishing in the flood.
CFSF Executive Director, Comrade Sani Saba, expressed frustration at what he described as the government’s preference for showmanship over proactive disaster prevention. “Another disaster may be imminent. With the delay in commencement of the repair work on the dam, we can conclude that the federal government is more interested in optics and showmanship when disaster happens rather than supporting pro-active interventions,” he said.
On his part, Executive Director of RDI, Philip Jakpor, condemned the alleged mismanagement in the award of contracts, noting that a contractor earlier mobilized for related pipeline repairs had abandoned the project. “We are bewildered at the lackluster attitude of the government. If the rains come with the same fury as last year, lives may be lost, livelihoods ruined, and insecurity worsened,” he warned.
The groups further decried the lingering lack of access to safe drinking water in densely populated areas such as Wulari, Mafoni, Kumshe, Hausari, and Shehuri, and called for the immediate commencement of dam repairs. They also demanded the prosecution of contractors who collected public funds but failed to deliver. “No serious government waits until disaster strikes before acting,” the groups declared.
