Ouagadougou: The Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Water, Animal and Fisheries Resources, Commander Isma«l Sombie, initiated the dredging operations for dams No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and Boulmiougou on Friday. This effort aims to prevent flooding and enhance the drinking water supply in Ouagadougou, witnessed by government officials, municipal representatives, and traditional leaders.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Commander Isma«l Sombie highlighted that this dredging activity is a segment of a national campaign targeting the dredging of 100 dams, which was launched on January 31, 2026, in Koubri by the Prime Minister. The initiative is designed to bolster surface water mobilization, mitigate flood risks as the rainy season approaches, and address the daily drinking water shortfall of approximately 57,000 m³ in Ouagadougou.
The minister explained that the dams, situated centrally in the capital, have become ineffective due to significant silting. Dam No. 2 alone has accumulated over one million cubic meters of deposits, equivalent to about 90,000 trucks of 20 m³, underscoring the severity of the issue. The aging infrastructure, spanning over six decades, combined with inadequate maintenance and human activities, contributes to this problem.
Commander Sombie lamented the harmful practices such as wastewater discharge into canals and the use of pesticides and herbicides in agricultural activities within dam beds, all of which deteriorate water quality. Consequently, ONEA ceased utilizing water from these dams for Ouagadougou's supply, exacerbating the water deficit.
In the medium term, the dredging is expected to restore the dams' capacity, allowing them to contribute again to the city's water supply alongside the Ziga and Loumbila dams. Addressing the social implications, Commander Sombie confirmed that displaced market gardeners would be relocated to 100 hectares equipped with high-flow boreholes, ensuring year-round production.
The National Office for Dams and Hydraulic Development (ONBAH), in collaboration with the National Company for Land Development and Rural Equipment (SONATER) and the Nakambe Water Agency (AEN), is tasked with executing the dredging work. Boukare Sabo, Director General of AEN, affirmed the agency's dedication to the project's success and mentioned ongoing efforts to secure the cleared banks to preserve the operation's benefits.
The project is slated for completion within three weeks, targeting the removal of approximately 600,000 m³ of sediment and the restoration of about 25% of the dams' capacity. Boukary Sawadogo, 2nd vice-president of the special delegation of Ouagadougou, reiterated the municipality's commitment to supporting these efforts, emphasizing the importance of local community awareness and participation.
To aid resettlement, 25 tons of food, 45 tons of fertilizer, and irrigation equipment were distributed to those affected and vulnerable.