Bobo-Dioulasso: The government officially launched a significant Mobility and Urban Development Project for Secondary Cities (PMDUVS) on Saturday in Bobo-Dioulasso, focusing on the Hauts-Bassins, Centre-Nord, and Nord regions. This initiative, valued at approximately 33 billion FCFA, aims to enhance rainwater drainage and improve living conditions over a 12-month implementation period.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ou©draogo emphasized Bobo-Dioulasso's central role in the country's infrastructure investments, highlighting its status as an economic and cultural capital. The PMDUVS targets the cities of Bobo-Dioulasso, Kaya, and Ouahigouya, focusing on constructing essential sanitation and rainwater drainage facilities.
The Prime Minister outlined that the project is funded by the Burkinabe government and the World Bank, aiming to better the population's living conditions. He noted urbanization trends reported by the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD), with urbanization rates projected to reach 35% by 2035. Bobo-Dioulasso's population was estimated to be 904,920 in 2019, reflecting a significant increase from 490,000 in 2006.
Mr. Ou©draogo highlighted the challenges of urban sprawl due to unplanned growth and insufficient investment in sanitation. The project includes constructing 15,234 meters of reinforced concrete collectors, 1,559 meters of rubble or granite masonry collectors, 3,482 meters of gutters, and 14,250 linear meters of solar public lighting in Bobo-Dioulasso.
The Prime Minister recalled the June 9, 2024, torrential rain in Sya, which caused flooding and significant material damage. He acknowledged President Ibrahim Traor©'s efforts in securing funding and implementing PMDUVS activities.
World Bank Resident Representative, Hamoud Abdel Wedoud Kamil, stated that the PMDUVS aims to improve mobility and access to basic services and climate-resilient infrastructure for populations and internally displaced persons in the targeted cities. He stressed the importance of the sanitation channels in enhancing resilience to climate change effects, especially flooding.
Kamil assured continued World Bank support for Burkina Faso's development initiatives and commended the partnership between the World Bank and Burkina Faso. At the ceremony's conclusion, the Minister of Infrastructure distributed 9 tons of food to individuals affected by the construction projects in Bobo-Dioulasso.