The Agence de Développement Municipal (Adm) in Senegal has initiated a series of training workshops aimed at enhancing the capacity of community actors in managing and maintaining rainwater drainage infrastructure. This effort is part of the Projet de gestion et d’intégration des eaux pluviales (Progep), which seeks to mitigate flooding in the Dakar region. The training sessions began in Keur Massar and will cover various communes involved in the project.
The primary objective of these training sessions is to equip community actors with the technical and operational skills necessary for maintaining rainwater drainage infrastructure. A total of nine workshops are planned, and they will focus on several key areas, including the functions of drainage infrastructure, types of damage and malfunctions, contractual procedures, and best practices for maintenance and reporting. This initiative aims to create sustainable and community-led solutions for flood management.
The training program is designed to strengthen the capacity of future social enterprises within local initiative committees for rainwater management (Coligep). Participants will learn techniques for implementing activities related to the maintenance of drainage infrastructure, which could become community-based jobs. According to Antoine Diockel Thiaw, a civil engineer and training coordinator, the goal is to enable local actors to contribute to the maintenance of infrastructure such as retention basins and inspection chambers.
The involvement of local communities, particularly youth, women, and community associations, is seen as crucial for the success of this initiative. Thiaw emphasized that this approach represents a paradigm shift in local management, aiming for sustainable and community-driven solutions. By empowering local actors, the project hopes to ensure the long-term durability and salubrity of drainage infrastructure.
The training series is part of a broader strategy to enhance flood management in Senegal's urban areas. The Projet de gestion et d’intégration des eaux pluviales (Progep) is a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving the resilience of communities to flooding through better infrastructure and community engagement. By focusing on capacity building and community involvement, the project seeks to create lasting impacts in flood-prone regions.
The initiative has been welcomed by stakeholders, who see it as a positive step towards addressing the challenges of flooding in urban Senegal. The creation of social enterprises focused on infrastructure maintenance is expected to not only improve flood management but also provide economic opportunities for local communities. This approach aligns with broader efforts to promote sustainable development and resilience in the face of climate change.
As the training series progresses, it is expected to have a significant impact on the management of rainwater drainage infrastructure in Senegal. By equipping local actors with the necessary skills and knowledge, the project aims to ensure that communities are better prepared to manage and maintain their own infrastructure, leading to more sustainable and effective flood management solutions.
Key points
- The training series aims to enhance the capacity of community actors in managing and maintaining rainwater drainage infrastructure.
- The initiative focuses on creating sustainable and community-led solutions for flood management.
- The involvement of local communities, particularly youth, women, and community associations, is crucial for the success of this initiative.
