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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev has stated that Alau Dam would boost irrigation farming in Borno state , improve hydropower generation in the North East.
In a statement released by Terhemen Oraduen ,Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister, professor Utsev appealed to the Borno State Government to ensure adequate provision of security to the project site to enable a smooth execution of the project.
According to the statement, the Minister made the plea today in Abuja at a meeting with a delegation from the Borno State Government on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the dam.
Professor Utsev insisted that Alau Dam was a special case that needed immediate intervention which necessitated the representation of its report to Mr President for action who has graciously approved Eighty Billion Naira for the commencement of the project.
He added that the work is expected to be completed within twenty four months while the first component would commence from this month and end in July with the second phase starting from October and assured the Borno State Government of its full participation in the project execution to ensure timely completion.
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He further informed the delegation that the Interministerial Technical Committee inaugurated by President Bola Al Tinubu to evaluate the integrity of Dams and Reservoirs in the country which he chaired has so far assessed thirty five Dams and presented its interim report while the final report would be presented to the Council as soon as the committee completes its assignment.
On his part, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary,Mr Richard Pheelangwah said the synergy between the Federal and Borno State Government was key to achieving success on the project.
Responding, leader of the Borno State Government delegation and Commissioner for Water Resources in Borno,Engr Tijani Goni who described Professor Utsev as a man of his words, particularly expressed appreciation to the Minister for taking the issue of Alau Dam as his personal project saying the people of Borno State would ever remain grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Professor Utsev when the dam is finally completed.
He assured the Minister that the Borno State Government would provide adequate security to the project site and coorporate with the contractor handling the project to ensure timely completion.
The meeting which had in attendance Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation Mr Richard Pheelangwah, Chairman and Members of the Technical Subcommittee on Evaluation of Dams in Nigeria and the Acting Managing Director Chad Basin Development Authority discussed the preparations to commence work on Alau Dam.
