Mouhoun: The Minister of Homeland Construction, Makalou Sidibe, handed over the keys to several socio-collective infrastructures in Souri, benefiting the village's population and future inhabitants of the Relais-cite de Dedougou, an urban expansion project valued at over 300 million CFA francs.
According to Burkina Information Agency, this initiative aligns with the Burkinabe State's efforts to promote balanced urban development amid rising population growth and urban planning challenges. The municipality of Dedougou has seen the construction of a relay station in Souri as part of this national vision for modernizing urban centers and enhancing access to basic social services.
Developed since 2020 by the Ministry of Homeland Construction, the site encompasses around 30,000 plots aimed at providing a structured and inclusive living environment. The handover ceremony marked the culmination of a significant urban development program that established roads, water networks, and essential social infrastructure, including a Health and Social Promotion Centre (CSPS), a youth centre, and a primary school, all pivotal in enhancing living conditions.
Makalou Sidibe emphasized that these infrastructures will sustainably support Souri's residents and the future Relais-cite occupants, reflecting the Government's commitment to constructing modern cities meeting citizens' health, education, and social cohesion needs. The Minister assured that infrastructure work will continue with road development, stormwater drainage, and extension of water and electricity networks, alongside building secondary educational institutions.
He highlighted that this progress contributes to controlled urbanization, providing a safe and conducive environment for population development, urging beneficiaries to maintain the infrastructure. Addressing land document concerns, the minister advised purchasers to contact relevant services for regularization, with his department available to assist.
Dieudonne Tougfo, President of the special delegation of Dedougou, praised the government's dedication to harmonious municipal development and the project's realization. He assured the population of measures for infrastructure maintenance and optimal functioning, urging beneficiaries to responsibly utilize the achievements for the benefit of future generations.
Representing the beneficiaries, Marcel Doye expressed gratitude to the authorities, recognizing the Relais-cite as a significant development opportunity for Souri and its surroundings. He affirmed the local populations' commitment to maintaining and enhancing the received infrastructure.
Overall, with the ongoing development of basic social infrastructure, the Relais-cite in Dedougou emerges as a strategic lever for urban modernization, showcasing the authorities' intent to create planned, resilient, and inclusive cities offering dignified living environments and sustainable socio-economic prospects.
During the ceremony, the ministerial delegation visited Martyrs' Square in Dedougou, where the Association for Humanitarian Benevolence (NGO-ABH) initiated the distribution of 1,000 food kits to vulnerable individuals, each containing rice, corn, sugar, salt, and oil.