By Gbenga Akingbule
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, on Wednesday, expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving ₦80 billion for the reconstruction and upgrade of the Alau Dam.
Gatekeepers News reports that Alau Dam collapsed on the 10th of September, 2024, triggering a devastating flooding of Maiduguri metropolis and parts of Jere Local Government Areas of Borno State which affected more than one million people and the destruction of lives and properties.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Comrade Dauda Iliya, the governor described President Tinubu’s approval as exhilarating.
“I am most gladdened by this uncommon expression of leadership and good governance by our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for approving this monumental amount to reconstruct and upgrade the dam,” Zulum stated.
“I regard this decision to reconstruct the dam as the most gladdening tiding, not only for the millions of farmers and fishermen and the innumerable other people conducting various economic activities in and around the dam but to the state government that is striving to resuscitate and reposition agricultural production as the most critical economic activity for the rebuilding and stabilization of our society devastated by Boko Haram insurgency,” Governor Zulu reiterated.
The governor expressed confidence that the reconstruction of the dam will effectively forestall the occurrence of flooding that may aggravate the vulnerability of a population devastated by insurgency.
He described the decision as Mr President’s expression of irrevocable commitment to rebirthing Nigeria for rapid prosperity in all aspects of societal life according to emerging imperatives with the Renewed Hope Agenda as a potent tool.
The governor recalled Mr. President’s personal sympathy visit to Maiduguri during the disaster and the quantum of support of food and non-food items provided which greatly alleviated the suffering of the affected victims.
Zulum conveyed the heartfelt gratitude of the government and the entire people of Borno State to President Tinubu for his rare show of carrying all sections of the country along in terms of the distribution of critical projects and programmes.
He assured Mr President of the government and the entire people of Borno State’s continued support for his people-oriented and national development policies, programmes and projects to renew the Hope of Nigerians for rapid growth and sustainable prosperity.
