Kaya: The Minister of Construction of the Homeland, Mikalou Sidib©, visited several construction sites in the city of Kaya on Wednesday, as part of the Secondary Cities Mobility and Urban Development Project (PMDUVS), in order to observe the progress of sanitation, rainwater drainage, and road works.
According to Burkina Information Agency, accompanied by administrative and local authorities, technicians from the Burkina Faso Infrastructure Works Agency (AGETIB) and companies in charge of execution, the minister took stock of the progress of the works covering approximately 24,487 linear meters of sanitation and drainage works planned in the municipality of Kaya, for a total cost of 9 billion 426 million 215 thousand 735 CFA francs including tax.
Mikalou Sidib© stated that the ministerial visit aims to encourage and congratulate local stakeholders, particularly the governor of the region, for their involvement in monitoring and supporting the implementation of infrastructure.
Technicians from the companies who guided the ministerial delegation on the construction sites reported that the physical execution rate is 80% for the company BTM and 60% for the group COGEP/EGK, for a time consumed of 80%.
They mentioned challenges inherent in carrying out construction projects in urban areas, particularly the presence of utility networks for drinking water, electricity, and telecommunications, which in some places slow down the complete clearing of the land. However, they expressed optimism regarding meeting the delivery deadlines within the next two to three months.
Abdelaziz Tal, director of works for the COGEP/EGK group, reassured, "We will meet the end-of-June deadline. We are currently working flat out to be able to meet this deadline."
At the end of the guided tour, the minister commended the efforts made by the project management unit, AGETIB, the regional directorates involved, and the monitoring mission, while urging them to remain vigilant in meeting deadlines.
"We are leaving with confidence, but we will remain vigilant and engage all stakeholders, supporting companies so that we can meet the deadline for implementing these works," said Mikalou Sidib©.
Emphasizing the urgency, the minister reiterated that "meeting deadlines is non-negotiable. We are approaching the rainy season; the essential work must be completed before installation."
He then announced a second phase of the project, focusing on paving certain roads. This phase will begin after the completion of ongoing studies and the selection of the companies involved.
The PMDUVS is being implemented in three cities in Burkina Faso, namely Kaya, Ouahigouya, and Bobo-Dioulasso, thanks to funding from the Burkinabe State in partnership with the World Bank.