NOUNA – Officials in Kossi province convened on Friday, August 16, 2024, to review the implementation of municipal investment plans and address pressing security and agricultural challenges affecting the area.

According to Burkina Informational Agency, the High Commissioner of Kossi province, the provincial consultation framework meeting focused on evaluating the progress of annual municipal investment plans since 2022, the ongoing wet agricultural campaign, and the broader humanitarian situation. The discussions also touched on recent terrorist activities and security incursions that have marked the region. Dembelé highlighted the prevalence of various criminal activities, including livestock theft and organized crime, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to curb these issues.

The meeting revealed that the dire security situation has significantly hampered budgetary allocations, preventing any new municipal investments since 2022. Challenges such as inadequate resource mobilization, insufficient funding from partners, and limited state support were identified as major hurdles. However, new strategies are being considered at the municipal level, including the mobilization of local resources and the engagement of technical and financial partners (TFPs).

Siaka Ouattara, presenting on the agro-pastoral campaign, noted a challenging start to the 2024 season due to a rainfall deficit, which has also affected capacity-building activities for local stakeholders. Alassane Kagoné, the director in charge of humanitarian action, outlined the ongoing needs in the region, including food, latrine construction, water drilling, educational support, and specialized equipment for returning households.

The session, financed by the Emergency Territorial Development and Resilience Program (PUDTR), concluded with calls for the rehabilitation of educational and health infrastructures to facilitate the return of populations and restoration of state services, with Dembelé assuring that solutions are being actively explored.