Concerns rise in Benguela as rainy season arrives without Cavaco river dredging

The rainy season has arrived in Benguela, Angola, but the expected dredging of the Cavaco river has not been completed, sparking concerns among local communities. The river's overflow caused widespread flooding on April 12, resulting in significant damage and displacement. Despite promises from authorities to undertake measures to prevent similar disasters, the dredging and other approved actions have not been implemented. This has left residents worried about the potential for another tragedy.

In the Tchipiandalo neighborhood, residents are questioning the effectiveness of the dike built to protect their homes from the river's overflow. Community leaders argue that the dike does not extend to the coast and has an opening that could allow water to flood the area and destroy houses. Local resident Paulo Macedo expressed concerns that the dike's height and the lack of dredging could lead to another disaster. He emphasized that the situation is alarming and that urgent action is needed to prevent further damage.

Architect Sérgio Chitata noted that dredging the river during the rainy season is more challenging and expensive than doing it during the dry season. He attributed the delay to a lack of coordination among the authorities and contractors. Chitata's comments highlight the complexities of the situation and the need for effective planning and execution. The dredging project, which includes evaluating the integrity of the road bridge, was budgeted at over 31 billion Kwanzas.

The Omatapalo company was contracted to undertake the dredging and dike construction project. However, the company has only completed the dike construction, leaving the dredging and other critical aspects unfinished. Local residents and leaders are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress and the absence of a clear plan from the authorities. They stress that urgent action is needed to mitigate the risks associated with the river's overflow.

Despite the concerns raised by local communities, there has been no official response from the authorities. The issues have been reported to the Benguela government, but no concrete actions have been announced. This lack of communication has exacerbated the anxiety among residents, who fear that another disaster could occur if the situation is not addressed promptly.

A visit to the Cavaco river by the NJ team revealed that the dike's height and the lack of dredging are significant concerns. The team attempted to contact Omatapalo for comments on the project's status but was unsuccessful. The absence of a clear plan or communication from the authorities has left local communities feeling vulnerable and uncertain about the future.

As the rainy season continues, the people of Benguela remain on edge, awaiting a response from the authorities to their concerns. The situation highlights the need for effective disaster prevention and mitigation measures, as well as transparent communication between authorities and local communities. The outcome of this situation will likely have significant implications for the region and its residents.

Key points

• The lack of dredging in the Cavaco river has raised concerns among local communities in Benguela about the potential for another disaster.