Sheikh Tidiane Dièye in Touba: "God willing, we will have a much better controlled rainy season than before."

As part of his national tour which began in Dakar, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, made his second stop in Touba on Thursday, accompanied by the Governor of Diourbel Ibrahima Fall, the Prefect of Mbacké Khadim Hann, the Sub-Prefect of Ndame and the Mayor of Touba, Abdou Lahat Ka.

Upon his arrival in the holy city, the minister visited several major construction sites. He first inspected the drainage works launched by the National Sanitation Office (ONAS), which began last December. These works, costing 15 billion CFA francs for the first year, are part of a multi-year program with an overall cost estimated at nearly 65 billion CFA francs over a period of two to three years.

On site, the minister was able to observe the progress of the central canal, which starts in Guédé and crosses several areas, including Tokorba, Mbal, Darou Khoudoss, and Darou Miname, before reaching the slopes of Keur Niang and emptying into the future Nguiranène basin. This basin, to be built on a three-hectare site initially designated for a market, will serve as a transit basin before the water is discharged via a main canal approximately eight kilometers long, passing through Khawsara and Féto to reach the Sine Valley near Ndok.

He also inaugurated a major pumping station and reservoir built by the Flood Prevention Directorate, near the Grand Mosque. He visited the homes of dignitaries from the family of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba, including that of Serigne Abdoul Ahad, whose improvements were deemed very satisfactory. "Last year, during my visits, these houses were flooded. Weeds and cattails were growing everywhere. Today, we have been informed that during the last Magal, pilgrims were even able to stay in these houses," he stated.

A new national strategy against flooding

Cheikh Tidiane Dièye took the opportunity to reaffirm the government's new approach to stormwater management. "We are moving from emergency management to proactive flood management," he stated, emphasizing nature-based solutions and long-term planned projects.

To expedite the project, it was divided into three lots, each awarded to a different company, with a firm commitment to deliver them in less than three months. The objective is for the bulk of the work, including the Nguiranène basin, to be completed by the end of July. "In two to three years, we will have finished connecting the city and installing modern networks capable of sustainably combating flooding," he promised.

Regarding the people of Ndok, the minister reassured them: "We will study all possible solutions to avoid damage to market gardeners or, if necessary, to provide adequate compensation. No one should suffer losses because of these works."

Ziara to the general Khalif of the Mourides

At the end of his visit, Dr Cheikh Tidiane Dièye went to the home of Serigne Mountakha Bassirou Mbacké, the general Khalif of the Mourides, to perform his ziara.