The local community of Soulinfily, situated in the Sinta sub-prefecture of Télimélé prefecture, is grappling with a significant water scarcity crisis. The borehole that previously supplied hundreds of residents has been out of service for several years. With the onset of the dry season, the situation has become increasingly dire, prompting residents to call for urgent assistance from authorities, humanitarian organizations, and the diaspora to rehabilitate the facility.
The absence of a functional borehole has forced residents to travel considerable distances to fetch water from nearby marshlands, sources, and watercourses. This has become a daily struggle, particularly for women, who must trek to places like Gôkitiré, Hamdalaye, and Siimoussa to access water. The local population, which has been steadily growing, now exceeds 300 inhabitants, further straining the already limited resources.
According to resident Kadiatou Diallo, the troubles began in 2007 when unknown individuals stole the borehole's pump and other essential equipment. Although the community managed to raise over 8 million Guinean francs to repair the damage, a subsequent breakdown occurred, and the community has since been unable to restore the borehole to working order due to financial constraints.
The strategic location of Soulinfily, situated along a major road connecting Kindia to Télimélé, and serving as a transit point for travelers heading to Gaoual, Koundara, Senegal, and Gambia, underscores the importance of resolving the water crisis. The area's expanding population, coupled with ongoing construction and new family settlements, has exacerbated the demand for potable water.
Resident Oumou Diawara highlighted the deteriorated state of the borehole and its installations, which have been non-functional for years. With the nearby water source in Kourahi Michel also inaccessible due to a dispute, residents are left with no choice but to rely on distant water sources, further compounding their hardship.
Elhadj Souleymane Diallo, a native of Sinta, emphasized the severity of the situation and proposed a modernization of the borehole with solar photovoltaic systems, a common practice in contemporary hydraulic installations. He stressed that reviving the borehole would greatly alleviate the suffering of the local population and support community development projects.
The water scarcity issue in Soulinfily has far-reaching implications, affecting not only daily life but also local worship and community initiatives. Residents continue to appeal for assistance, urging authorities, humanitarian organizations, and well-wishers to contribute to the rehabilitation of their borehole and restore access to safe drinking water.
Key points
- The broken borehole in Soulinfily has left over 300 residents without access to safe drinking water.
- Residents are forced to travel long distances to fetch water from nearby sources.
- The community is appealing for assistance to rehabilitate the borehole with modern solar photovoltaic systems.
