The Federal Government says the ongoing ₦80 billion upgrade of the Alau Dam in Borno State is expected to be completed by 2027, aimed at expanding irrigation and enabling future hydroelectric power generation.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, announced this on Thursday during a working visit to the project site in the Alau community, near Maiduguri.

“Basically, we are here in Borno to assess the level of work on the Alau Dam,” Utsev said.

He explained that the dam, initially built to supply drinking water, is now being upgraded under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“With the President’s approval of N80 billion for its reconstruction and upgrade, we have redesigned the dam to support multiple purposes.

“Borno State is known for farming, and the mandate given to us is to ensure adequate food production. That is why irrigation is a major component of the upgrade,” the minister stated.

He said that upon completion, the Alau Dam will deliver improved water supply to Maiduguri and surrounding communities, support irrigation to boost agricultural productivity, and create capacity for future hydroelectric power generation.

According to him, the project is divided into two phases: the first phase is scheduled to conclude in September this year, while the second phase will commence in October and finish by March 2027.

“The essence of the first phase is to mitigate or prevent flooding for this season, because construction of the dam is not easy during the rainy season.

“The second phase is scheduled to commence in October and will conclude in March 2027, when the dam will be fully reconstructed,” Utsev said.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babagana Zulum for their commitment to the project, noting its significance to the people of Borno and the nation at large.

The minister also appealed to the Borno State Government and residents to launch a sensitisation campaign for local farmers in the Alau community, urging them to stop planting crops on the dam’s embankment, which is currently under reconstruction.

He further assured residents to remain calm and not fear possible flooding from any overflow of the dam.

The Alau Dam, situated near Maiduguri in Borno State, was built in the 1980s primarily to provide potable water to Maiduguri and neighbouring communities.