The Agence de développement municipal (ADM) has launched a training session for 250 community actors in Dakar's suburbs, focusing on the maintenance and security of drainage infrastructure. This initiative is part of the Projet de gestion des eaux pluviales et d’adaptation au changement climatique (PROGEP 2) to sustain flood-fighting infrastructure. The training aims to enable beneficiaries to adopt best practices for maintaining urban drainage infrastructure.
The training, led by engineer Antoine Diokel Thiaw, covers five theoretical and practical modules. Beneficiaries will learn to master the functioning of drainage infrastructure, diagnose malfunctions, and understand the roles of the Office national de l’assainissement du Sénégal (ONAS), the Direction de la prévention et de la gestion des inondations (DPGI), and communes. This program primarily targets adults, youths, and a majority of women.
According to Thiaw, the initiative seeks to secure investments in the sector by transforming basic organizations into social and solidarity economy structures. The training also focuses on mastering administrative procedures for contractualization and learning techniques for monitoring, tracking, and reporting field interventions. A practical phase, including guided tours and fieldwork, will complement the academic training.
The PROGEP 2 project has invested in significant infrastructure, including nearly 50 kilometers of primary and secondary canals, 21 retention basins with a total capacity of 700,000 cubic meters, four pumping stations, and 25 kilometers of drained and lit roads. The ADM aims to support territorial collectives through this initiative.
The training session is part of a broader effort to address flooding in Dakar. By engaging local communities in maintenance, the ADM hopes to ensure the long-term effectiveness of drainage infrastructure. This approach also aims to promote community ownership and responsibility for maintaining these critical infrastructure.
Antoine Diokel Thiaw emphasized that the local engagement mechanism is backed by a strict administrative and financial framework. This framework includes a procedures manual, a practical guide, and educational materials. The goal is to establish a sustainable system for maintaining drainage infrastructure.
The training program is expected to enhance the capacity of community actors to manage and maintain drainage infrastructure effectively. This will contribute to reducing the risk of flooding in Dakar and promoting a safer, healthier environment for residents. The initiative demonstrates a collaborative approach to addressing urban challenges in Senegal.
Key points
- The training program covers five theoretical and practical modules to equip beneficiaries with the necessary skills.
- The initiative aims to secure investments in the sector by transforming basic organizations into social and solidarity economy structures.
- The PROGEP 2 project has invested in significant infrastructure, including nearly 50 kilometers of primary and secondary canals.
