Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso – In an aggressive move to prevent urban flooding and reduce disease risk, the municipality of Bobo-Dioulasso initiated a large-scale gutter cleaning operation on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The three-day campaign aims to clear 40 kilometers of drainage channels throughout the city.

According to Burkina Information Agency, President of the special delegation of the commune, the operation kicked off at the Bobo-Dioulasso one-stop shop, a critical area prone to flooding during the rainy season. The initiative has mobilized trainees from gendarmerie schools, municipal workers, and water and forestry officials to remove debris that obstructs water flow in the gutters.

The cleaning effort, which will continue through May 18, 2024, is part of a broader Presidential Initiative for Community Development, backed by directives from the Ministries of Health, Environment, and Decentralization. Kontogom emphasized that the primary goal is to mitigate the risks of flooding and outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

During the operation, debris will be extracted from the gutters and transported out of the city using logistical resources. Kontogom also called on the residents of Bobo-Dioulasso to actively participate in the cleanup to safeguard their health and ensure the effectiveness of the city’s drainage systems. He stressed the importance of maintaining clean gutters, not only for water evacuation but also to prevent them from becoming informal dumpsites.