Some floodwaters in Gambia originate from Casamance, Minister Sillah
“In certain parts of the West Coast Region, for example, water is coming all the way from Casamance, and then emptying into places like Sifoe and other areas before going directly into the river or the ocean.” The minister made the remarks while responding to concerns over flooding on newly constructed roads following the first rains of the season. Residents have questioned why some of the roads, despite their modern appearance, become flooded shortly after heavy rainfall. However, Sillah insisted that drainage systems were incorporated into all newly built roads. “The roads have drainage, the challenge is that we have a much bigger drainage problem in the Greater Banjul Area.” According to him, decades of poor urban planning have resulted in natural waterways being blocked by settlements, preventing water from flowing freely. He explained that newly paved roads often attract runoff from surrounding areas, causing temporary flooding even when drainage systems are in place. “The problem that we have in the Greater Banjul Area is that we have a lot of waterways that have been blocked by settlements because of poor planning,” he said. Sillah said government has completed a comprehensive study of the Greater Banjul drainage system covering areas from Kanifing to parts of the West Coast Region. He disclosed that about 135 kilometres of roads have already been identified for future development within the Kanifing Municipality, with detailed studies expected to begin soon and construction targeted for September or October. “Unless we are able to do a significant percentage of the roads in the KMC and the West Coast Region, this problem will continue to occur,” he admitted. The minister also attributed some flooding to indiscriminate dumping of waste into drains and waterways, saying annual interventions by government, including drain clearing and excavation works led by the Vice President, remain necessary to provide temporary relief while long-term solutions are implemented.
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“In certain parts of the West Coast Region, for example, water is coming all the way from Casamance, and then emptying into places like Sifoe and other areas before going directly into the river or the ocean.”
The minister made the remarks while responding to concerns over flooding on newly constructed roads following the first rains of the season.
Residents have questioned why some of the roads, despite their modern appearance, become flooded shortly after heavy rainfall. However, Sillah insisted that drainage systems were incorporated into all newly built roads.
“The roads have drainage, the challenge is that we have a much bigger drainage problem in the Greater Banjul Area.”
According to him, decades of poor urban planning have resulted in natural waterways being blocked by settlements, preventing water from flowing freely. He explained that newly paved roads often attract runoff from surrounding areas, causing temporary flooding even when drainage systems are in place.
“The problem that we have in the Greater Banjul Area is that we have a lot of waterways that have been blocked by settlements because of poor planning,” he said.
Sillah said government has completed a comprehensive study of the Greater Banjul drainage system covering areas from Kanifing to parts of the West Coast Region. He disclosed that about 135 kilometres of roads have already been identified for future development within the Kanifing Municipality, with detailed studies expected to begin soon and construction targeted for September or October.
“Unless we are able to do a significant percentage of the roads in the KMC and the West Coast Region, this problem will continue to occur,” he admitted.
The minister also attributed some flooding to indiscriminate dumping of waste into drains and waterways, saying annual interventions by government, including drain clearing and excavation works led by the Vice President, remain necessary to provide temporary relief while long-term solutions are implemented.
