On November 12, 2026, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno visited Abéché, the capital of the Ouaddaï province, to assess the status of various stalled infrastructure projects. The visit aimed to evaluate the progress of ongoing works, identify challenges, and provide concrete solutions to address the concerns of the local population. During his visit, the President inspected several sites, including the Innovent Tchad power plant, which has been inactive for nine months due to unpaid bills and technical issues related to its connection to the Tchadelec network.

The President's first stop was the Innovent Tchad power plant, located on the western outskirts of Abéché, with a capacity of 5 megawatts. The plant's director, Issa Adam, attributed the shutdown to unpaid bills and technical difficulties related to the connection to the Tchadelec network. The President then proceeded to the construction site of the Abéché mother-child hospital, which has been stalled since 2015. After listening to the site manager's explanations, the President expressed his commitment to completing this much-needed healthcare infrastructure.

The President also visited the construction site of the gold market project, launched in June, which aims to build 330 shops within ten months. The project seeks to better protect gold artisans, secure their property, and contribute to the development of the commercial sector in Abéché. The President welcomed this local authority initiative, highlighting its potential to boost the local economy. Furthermore, he visited the Biteha 2 water supply project, which includes a 3,000-cubic-meter water tower.

At the Biteha 2 water supply project site, the President was briefed on the project's progress by its coordinator, Bakhit Dicki Bakai. Although the project is generally progressing satisfactorily, Bakai mentioned some challenges, including delays in payment of funds by the financier. The current production capacity stands at 18,000 cubic meters. The President pledged to personally intervene to resolve the issues and expedite the project's completion for the benefit of Abéché's residents.

The President's visit comes amid high expectations from the local population regarding electricity, healthcare, commercial development, and access to clean water. The visit has raised hopes for the revival of stalled projects and the acceleration of key initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in Abéché. The President's engagement has sparked optimism that these projects will be completed, addressing the pressing needs of the local community.

The stalled projects visited by the President have significant implications for the local population. The lack of access to reliable electricity, healthcare, and clean water has hindered the socio-economic development of Abéché. The President's commitment to accelerating these projects is expected to have a positive impact on the daily lives of residents, improving their access to essential services and promoting economic growth.

The President's visit to Abéché demonstrates his administration's commitment to addressing the concerns of local populations and accelerating key infrastructure projects. The projects inspected during the visit are expected to have a significant impact on the socio-economic development of the region, improving living conditions and promoting economic growth. Key projects include the completion of the Abéché mother-child hospital, the gold market, and the Biteha 2 water supply project.

Key points

  • President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has pledged to accelerate stalled infrastructure projects in Abéché, including the Innovent Tchad power plant, the Abéché mother-child hospital, and the Biteha 2 water supply project.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.