At least, N309.3 million was spent to rehabilitate the Alau Dam that collapsed on September 9, worsening a catastrophic flood that displaced about 400,000 residents of Maiduguri, Borno State, and destroyed critical infrastructures.
WikkiTimes findings showed that N309,3 16,168.98 was paid to various companies — including Federal Inland Revenue — for maintenance and rehabilitation of the Alau Dam between 2018 and 2024.
The Alau dam, situated 20 kilometres from Maiduguri, was built in 1986 during General Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime, according to PREMIUM TIMES. It was constructed to control flooding, and enhance irrigation and water supply.
This year’s incident was not the first. The dam first collapsed in September 1994, displacing over 4,000 people and causing significant property damage.
The Companies That Were Awarded the Contracts
These contractors were S. M. Gudunbali Nigeria Limited, Dalori Construction Nigeria Ltd, Auno Engineering And Construction Services Limited, Kukabam General Merchant Nig Ltd, Hammal And Partner Ltd and Balmari Investment Nig Ltd.
Further findings revealed that these companies were registered and either based in Borno or Gombe states. Our reporter spoke to Dalori Construction Nigeria Ltd and Balmari Investment Nig Ltd.
In 2020, Dalori Construction Nigeria Ltd received payment from the Federal Government for the rehabilitation of the Alau dam in the sum of N12,354,962.06 and N25,860,664.76 in two separate payments amounting to N38,215,626.82.
Muhammad Lawal Garko, a Director at Dalori Construction denied receiving any contract with regards to the rehabilitation of the dam.
“I can’t say anything about this. I am not aware of the contract,” he claimed. Garko declined further questions, promising to contact their Managing Director first. He was yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
Kabiru Muhammad of Balmari Investment acknowledged the contract with the company in 2021, receiving a payment of N21405767.43 to rehabilitate the dam.
Despite claiming to have proof carrying out the rehabilitation, Muhammad failed to provide the evidence, saying he will get back to our reporter. When asked about the flooding, he said: “I am not happy,” and did not respond to further questions.
Efforts to reach other contractors of the dam proved futile as only sketchy contact information about the companies were available online.
Chad Basin Development Authority (CHBDA), the agency that awarded the contract, could not be reached for comments. The official contact available on its website was switched off and a text message sent to the line had not been responded to.
