Nigeria’s Federal Government has made an announcement revealing that the ongoing N80 billion Alau Dam Upgrade Project located in Borno State is scheduled for completion by 2027. The dam is expected to boost irrigation and facilitate future hydro-electric power generation.
This information regarding the dam upgrade project was revealed by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, on Thursday during a working visit to the project site in the Alau community, near Maiduguri.
Also read: Nigeria Flags Off Multimillion-Dollar Reconstruction and Upgrade of Alau Dam
Project Factsheet
Location: near Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Cost: approximately $100 million
Project timeline: The project is being executed in two phases over a 24-month period.
- Phase 1 (March 2025 – September 2025): this phase focuses on urgent interventions to mitigate flood risks and restore basic infrastructure.
- Phase 2 (October 2025 – March 2027): this phase will involves comprehensive rehabilitation and full-scale upgrading. Also it will include extensive desilting, structural reinforcements, and expansion of irrigation channels.
Project Completion: The entire upgrade is scheduled for completion by March 2027.
Furthermore, the minister noted that the dam was originally constructed as a source of drinking water. As for now is, it is being upgraded under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Significance of the Dam
According to him, when completed, the Alau Dam will serve Maiduguri and surrounding areas with improved water supply and support irrigation for agricultural productivity. Additionally, it will provide capacity for future hydro-electric power generation.
Also, he clarified that the contract was divided into two phases. The first phase of the upgrade project is expected to end in September this year. As for the second phase, it would commence in October and end in March 2027.
Also read: Rehabilitation works for Watari dam in Nigeria temporarily stopped
Reasons for the Upgrade
However, due to years of neglect and the increasing climate-related pressures, the dam capacity of the dam and infrastructure deteriorated. This therefore prompted the need for a major upgrade.
The ongoing N80 billion project aims to modernize the dam for multipurpose use. Some of the uses included irrigation support, enhanced water supply, and potential hydro-electric power generation. These uses align with national food security and energy goals.
