FG Urges Partnership to Accelerate Water Projects, Boost Food Production

By Fatima Saka
The federal government is seeking collaboration with the Borno State Government to accelerate the completion of various water projects and expand irrigable land for food production within the Chad Basin Development Authority.
The Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, made this call during an inspection of the collapsed Alau Dam in Jere Local Government Area, Maiduguri, Borno State on Thursday.
He also noted that the inspection is aimed at assessing the extent of damage to the dam and exploring strategies for its restoration, recognizing its vital economic importance.
The Honourable Minister of State expressed his appreciation for the unwavering dedication of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum CON, in addressing the water and sanitation challenges faced by the State.
He was accompanied on the visit by Senior Management staff from the Ministry, the Managing Director of Chad Basin Development Authority, Engr. Abba Garba, FNSE, and staff from the Chad River Basin Development Authority in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Engr. Abba Garba, MD of Chad River Basin Development Authority, highlighted the significance of the Alau Dam, which has a reservoir capacity of 112 million cubic meters. Originally intended to provide irrigation farmland for Jere residents, it later became essential for supplying water to the growing population of Maiduguri due to increased demand.
He explained that the Alau Dam’s purpose has been hampered by its recent collapse, a result of the 2022 devastating flood that caused an overload of water from the upstream, leading to structural corrosion and eventual collapse.
The MD further disclosed that procurement processes to assess the impact and rehabilitate the dam are currently underway.
The Honourable Minister of State and his delegation also visited the Chad Basin Development Authority Songhai farms, which encompass sections for poultry, catfish, cattle, and greenhouses for tomato and sunflower cultivation, contributing to feed formulation and cholesterol-free oil production