BY NEWS EDITOR

President Bola Tinubu has approved N80 billion for the reconstruction and expansion of the Alau dam in Borno State.

The dam which collapsed in September last year, caused flooding that killed many, displaced over a million people and destroyed properties worth millions.

The dam which situated in the Alau community of Konduga Local Government Area, was constructed in 1984-1986 and impounds a major reservoir on the Ngadda River, one of the tributaries of Lake Chad.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, disclosed the development on Tuesday while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

'The mandate of that committee was to assess all dams in the country and come up with recommendations of how best the dams can be put to use, the areas of water supply, flood control, irrigation and fish farming, among others.

'So, today the interim report was presented to the Federal Executive Council. We saw some challenges as a result of flooding on the 10th of September last year,' he said.

He also revealed that President Tinubu has approved N80 billion for the reconstruction and expansion of the Alau dam.

'So, as it stands now, the approval for the construction of new rehabilitation of also dam has been done by Mr. President, which is awaiting ratification of the Federal Executive Council when all other due processes is being observed,' Prof Utsev added.

He noted that the Borno state government is working with the sub-committee and Nigerian security advisory office members to kick-start the project.

The reconstruction and expansion of the Alau dam are expected to address the challenges of flooding in the region and provide a permanent solution to the recurring flood disasters.