In a bid to revitalize agriculture and safeguard lives, Governor Babagana Zulum has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving N80 billion to reconstruct and upgrade the collapsed Alau Dam.
Disclosing this in a statement on Wednesday, the governor described the approval as a significant step toward safeguarding lives and revitalising agriculture in the state.
“I am most gladdened by this uncommon expression of leadership and good governance by our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for approving this monumental amount to reconstruct and upgrade the dam,” he said.
Mr Zulum said the collapse of the dam on September 10, 2024, led to devastating floods that displaced more than one million people and destroyed property worth billions of naira in the state.
The governor said the reconstruction of the dam would not only prevent future flooding but also support economic activities such as farming and fishing, which were vital to the state’s post-insurgency recovery.
“This decision is the most uplifting news, not just for millions of farmers and fishermen but also for the state government, which is working hard to restore agriculture as the backbone of our economy,” he added.
Mr Zulum recalled that the president’s visit to Maiduguri in the aftermath of the disaster and the federal government’s emergency relief efforts also provided food and non-food items to affected victims.
He described the reconstruction of the dam as also a demonstration of Tinubu’s commitment to national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mr Zulum further assured the president of Borno’s continued support for his administration’s policies and projects aimed at driving economic growth and stability across the country.