By Edu Abade
With the setting in of the rainy season, the Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) and the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) have warned of an imminent disaster in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and the Federal Government’s failure to commence repairs on the Alau Dam, which collapsed last year due to heavy rainfall.
The position of the two groups of environmental activists and climate crusaders follows allegations by locals that the much publicized repair and expansion of the dam as earlier promised by the Federal Government has not commenced even as the rainy season begins.
The locals queried the government’s decision to shun Mothercat Nigeria Limited, the original contractor that built the bridge in favour of another firm that began work on the system 1 and 2 damaged pipeline under the Lagos Street Bridge only to abandon it after it was mobilized for the work.
The Alau dam collapsed on Tuesday 10 September, flooding 70 percent of Maiduguri and displacing residents of Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, Bulabulin, and other communities. In the aftermath of the incident, thousands of homes were submerged, including the palace of the Shehu of Borno and government facilities in the capital city.
While 80 percent of animals at the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo died, those in the Museum Park escaped, further endangering hapless residents who are yet to fully recover one year after the incident.
Executive Director of CFSF, Comrade Sani Saba said: “Another disaster may be imminent. With the delay in commencement of the repair works on the dam, we can conclude that the Federal Government is more interested in optics and showmanship whenever disaster happens rather than supporting proactive interventions.
“Nothing can justify the government’s engagement of a firm that is incapable of delivering and exposing the locals to avoidable fresh harm. It is simply unacceptable.”
Executive Director of RDI, Philip Jakpor said: “We are bewildered at the lackluster attitude of the government in the face of possible repeat of the flooding incident of 2024. What we should be hearing by now is the level of progress of the work.
“By virtue of the delay in commencing the rehabilitation of the dam lives may be lost, livelihoods affected and the economy of the state if the rains come with the fury of last year. This will likely worsen the insecurity faced by residents of Borno and other states in the North.”
The groups learnt that a large population in Borno and its environs are still unable to access safe and potable water, especially residents of densely populated areas such as Wulari, Mafoni, Kumshe, Hausari, Shehuri North, Shehuri South and old Maiduguri.
The two organisations demanded immediate commencement of the repair and expansion of the dam and prosecution of contractors that have been funded but failed to deliver.
“Until we have people who are accountable for their actions, this sort of annoying situation will continue. The relevant agencies like the Nigeria Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency have given adequate notice of what is imminent. No serious government would wait till disaster happens before acting. We demand urgent action,” they added.
