September 15, (THEWILL) – On September 10, 2024, the Alau Dam in Borno State collapsed, unleashing devastating floods upon the city of Maiduguri and surrounding areas. This catastrophic event has displaced over a million people, destroyed countless homes and businesses and exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis in a region long plagued by terrorism.
The collapse of the Alau Dam is not merely a natural disaster, but a stark illustration of the Nigerian Government’s systemic failures and neglect of critical infrastructure. This preventable tragedy compounds the suffering of communities already ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and reform in Nigeria’s governance.
The Alau Dam, located approximately 20 kilometres south of Maiduguri, was constructed in 1986 with a storage capacity of 112 million cubic metres. Its primary purpose was to supply water for irrigation and domestic use in Maiduguri. However, the dam’s history is marred by disaster. In 1994, it collapsed, causing widespread flooding that displaced approximately 400,000 people in Maiduguri and affected six other northern states.
Thirty years later, history has tragically repeated itself. The recent collapse has submerged nearly 70 per cent of Maiduguri, a city of over 800,000 residents. The flood has ravaged major locations, including the palace of the Shehu of Borno, the state secretariat, post office, cemetery and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. The disaster’s scale is unprecedented, with the United Nations Refugee Agency describing it as the worst flooding to hit the city in three decades.
The flooding disaster in Maiduguri compounds an already severe humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria. For over a decade, the region has been the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, which has killed more than 35,000 people and displaced 2.6 million others. Maiduguri, as the capital of Borno State, has served as a hub for humanitarian responses to this ongoing crisis.
Now, the flood has forced the closure of several Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, including the Bakassi Camp, which previously housed tens of thousands of people fleeing terrorism. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reports that over 414,000 people have been displaced by the flood, with estimates suggesting this number could rise to nearly two million. This sudden mass displacement strains already limited resources and complicates aid efforts.
Compounding the crisis, the Nigerian Correctional Service reported a jailbreak that saw over 200 inmates escape the flood-damaged correctional facility. Although three escapees have been recaptured, the situation remains critical as local and federal authorities work around the clock to regain control amidst the chaos.
The flooding also raises serious concerns about public health. With the city’s sewage system overwhelmed, there is a high risk of waterborne diseases spreading among the affected population. The collapse of medical facilities, including the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, further compromises healthcare delivery in a region already struggling with inadequate medical infrastructure.
The dam’s collapse appears to not be an unforeseen event, but rather the result of gross negligence and a systemic failure to maintain critical infrastructure. Just a few days before the disaster, a government delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of Borno State, Bukar Tijjani, inspected the dam. Despite clear signs of the impending danger, they reassured the public that there was no cause for alarm and failed to take preventive action.
This negligence is part of a broader pattern of infrastructure neglect in Nigeria. The cost of proper maintenance and timely repairs for the dam would have been a fraction of the current disaster relief expenditure. Instead, government’s inaction has led to a catastrophe that will require billions of naira in emergency response, not to mention the incalculable human cost.
The repeated failure of the dam over a 30-year period underscores deep-rooted issues in Nigerian governance. It reflects a culture of short-term thinking, where immediate political considerations often trump long-term planning and investment in critical infrastructure. This systemic failure extends beyond Borno State, as evidenced by NEMA’s report that floods have killed 229 people and affected over 94,000 houses across the country so far this year.
The flood’s impact extends beyond human communities to local wildlife and ecosystems. The disaster has devastated the Sanda Kyarimi Park zoo, with over 80% of its animals reported dead. More alarmingly, dangerous animals including crocodiles and snakes have been washed into residential areas, posing additional risks to an already vulnerable population.
The long-term environmental consequences of the flooding are yet to be fully understood. However, the inundation of vast areas of farmland – NEMA reports that 125,805 hectares have been affected nationwide – raises concerns about food security and ecological balance in the region. The flood’s impact on soil composition, native plant species, and local wildlife habitats could have far-reaching effects on the area’s biodiversity and agricultural productivity.
Nigeria’s political leaders and the governments they lead have yet again failed citizens. Tragedies like this reminds us again that we are indeed casualties of bad/poor decisions and leadership. I grieve with my fellow country men and women in Maiduguri and environs and pray that the help they need gets to them in good time.
In the wake of the disaster, various government agencies have mobilised to provide emergency relief. NEMA has opened multiple IDP camps to accommodate those displaced by the flood. The agency is working in conjunction with the Borno State Emergency Management Agency to conduct search and rescue operations and provide essential supplies to affected communities.
President Bola Tinubu has called for the immediate evacuation of residents in flood-affected areas and pledged federal support for relief efforts. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who hails from Maiduguri, has visited the city to assess the damage and coordinate response efforts. International organisations, including the World Health Organisation, have promised support to address the looming health crisis.
However, these efforts face significant challenges. The scale of the disaster, coupled with the pre-existing humanitarian crisis in the region, stretches resources thin. The flooding has also damaged critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges, complicating rescue and relief operations.
The dam’s collapse serves as a wake-up call for Nigeria to address its neglected infrastructure and improve disaster preparedness. Moving forward, several key areas require immediate attention. First and foremost, authorities must prioritise regular maintenance and upgrades of critical infrastructure, including dams, roads, and bridges. This requires not just funding but also transparent processes to ensure resources are used effectively. Alongside this, Nigeria needs to invest in robust early warning systems for natural disasters.
This includes both technological solutions for monitoring environmental conditions and effective communication channels to disseminate warnings to at-risk populations.
Equally important is the need to bolster emergency preparedness. Local and national emergency response agencies need better funding, training, and equipment to handle large-scale disasters. This includes developing comprehensive evacuation plans for vulnerable areas. However, these efforts will be in vain if the root causes of infrastructure neglect, including corruption and mismanagement of funds, are not addressed. Strengthening oversight mechanisms and ensuring accountability at all levels of government is crucial to combat these systemic issues.
As extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change, Nigeria must also integrate climate adaptation strategies into its urban planning and infrastructure development. This forward-thinking approach should be coupled with increased community engagement. Local communities should be involved in disaster preparedness planning and infrastructure maintenance to ensure sustainable, long-term solutions. By empowering communities with knowledge and resources, Nigeria can build a more resilient society capable of withstanding future challenges.
Furthermore, the government should consider establishing a dedicated infrastructure maintenance fund, with strict oversight to prevent misuse. This fund could ensure that critical structures like the Alau Dam receive regular inspections and necessary repairs, potentially averting future disasters. Additionally, Nigeria should seek international partnerships and expertise in disaster management and infrastructure development. Collaborating with countries that have successfully managed similar challenges could provide valuable insights and technical assistance.
I pray that we never experience this tragic incident again in our dear country. We have endured enough suffering and pain.
