On September 25, 2026, Minister of State for Agriculture, Water and Animal Resources, Ismaël Sombié, visited the Yaadga region in Burkina Faso to inspect various projects aimed at improving the region's water and agricultural infrastructure. The minister's visit was part of the government's efforts to monitor the 2026-2027 agricultural campaign. During his visit, Sombié inaugurated a sludge treatment plant in Ouahigouya, a first for the city.
The sludge treatment plant in Ouahigouya is a significant infrastructure that will provide a useful end to the city's sludge. The plant consists of a reception facility, two sedimentation basins of 50 m³ each, 48 drying beds, three lagooning basins, and an administrative building. According to Flandion Sourabié, Director General of the National Office for Water and Sanitation (ONEA), this infrastructure demonstrates the government's commitment to developing the sanitation chain.
From Ouahigouya, Minister Sombié proceeded to Gourcy, specifically to the village of Tougouya-Koko, where he inspected the construction site of a new dam. The dam, which will have a capacity of over 15 million m³ and a length of 1,024 meters, is expected to significantly improve the region's water supply. The construction work, which was restarted by the National Office for Dams and Hydro-Agricultural Development (ONBAH) on April 1, 2026, has made significant progress.
According to Yaya Traoré, Director of ONBAH, the dam's construction was 23% complete when ONBAH took over the project. However, during the minister's visit, the project's progress had increased to 53%. Minister Sombié commended ONBAH for the significant progress made in a short period, noting that the project would serve as an example to other companies struggling to execute their projects.
The minister emphasized the importance of the Tougouya-Koko dam, which will not only provide water for irrigation but also contribute to the production of water for drinking and other uses. The dam is also expected to create jobs in the agricultural sector, particularly in the planned irrigation perimeters. In addition to the dam project, ONEA is nearing completion of the water supply system in Ouahigouya.
The water supply system in Ouahigouya will feature a 350 m³ water tower, a pumping station with two pumps, and a 45 km pipeline to the city's water tower. The minister has set a deadline for the project's completion, requiring that it be operational by the end of November 2026. Sombié also visited the Yibi rice-growing lowland area in Arbolé, where he expressed concern over a reported practice that could harm the cooperative.
During his visit to the Yibi rice-growing lowland area, Minister Sombié discovered that some individuals had placed a fetish in the area, causing some producers to abandon their plots. The minister condemned the practice, emphasizing that it was unacceptable for a few individuals to hinder the progress of others. He called on the responsible parties to rectify the situation, warning that if the producers did not return to their plots, the government's investment in the area would be in vain.
Key points
- The minister inspected a 15 million m³ dam in Tougouya-Koko and a sludge treatment plant in Ouahigouya.
- The projects aim to improve water supply and agricultural infrastructure in the Yaadga region.
- The minister set a deadline for the completion of the water supply system in Ouahigouya.
