Experts with the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAEng) have explained why the Alau Dam in Borno State collapsed in 2024.
Daily Trust reports that in 2024, Alau Dam collapsed, causing catastrophic flooding in Borno State and killing some people, with an estimated 300,000 residents displaced.
After the collapse, professionals from the NAEng visited the scene to assess the situation and proffer lasting solutions.
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At this year’s public forum held virtually in Lagos with the title ‘Dam Infrastructure and Flood Risk Management’, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology and Sciences, Iyin Ekiti, Prof James Aribisala, presented a paper titled ‘Alau Dam in Borno State: Lessons Learned’.
According to Aribisala, the purpose of the dam which was irrigation was changed to water supply “without adequate consideration for operation and management.”
He also noted that the dam “is silted thereby reducing the storage capacity.”
Aribisala further noted that there was no reservoir release policy for the operation of the dam.
He recommended that the Alau Dam should be converted into a multipurpose dam.
“Dams designed as multipurpose should be operated as such. An example is the Oyan Dam. There should be daily inflow data collection for all dams in Nigeria. The code of practice for dam operation in Nigeria should be adopted for use in reservoir operation management,” he said.
Speaking on ‘Flood Resilient Infrastructure,’ Engr Olamuyiwa Ajibola blamed corruption and lack of political will for low infrastructure in Nigeria and called for the construction of flood-resilient dams including the promotion of local content and expertise.
Dr Funmi Coker, who delivered a paper on ‘Environment and Climate Change Consideration’, called on the government to upgrade, and install infrastructure and other facilities for climate resilience, improve overall water management and access to international climate finance.
In his welcome address, NAEng President, Prof. Rahmon Bello, emphasised the government’s patronage of local experts in the building and management of dams.
Bello, who was vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, also asked the government to put in place programmes that will help mitigate climate change.
