It is the rainy season, a time expected by many citizens but feared by the inhabitants of the precarious neighborhoods of the city of Bobo-Dioulasso. Between doubt and concern, this part of the population no longer knows which saint to devote to.
The years follow one another and are practically alike for the residents of the unplanned neighborhoods. In this rainy period, the daily life of these inhabitants boils down to almost the same thing: repairing houses to prevent them from collapsing and, for the less fortunate, trying to rebuild what the rain has destroyed in its path. . On the outskirts of sector 31 of the town of Sya, Bindougousso commonly called “Sosoribougou”, many residents are anxious when the clouds set the tone for rain. ” With the rainy season, the houses collapse because we do not allocate enough means for the constructions of the made of uncertainty “says Lassina Sangaré, a resident of this outskirts. He adds, “ money is not easy to earn, if you have to invest in land that will be taken away from you, it’s complicated ».
A situation that does not make life easy for these inhabitants. Difficult to close the eye the night when one knows that these rains accompanied by whirlwinds or tornadoes, cause damage and floods, even in the subdivided districts and the large cities. ” I even reinforced my house the day before yesterday, sleeping quietly is a luxury here in these times because the houses are collapsing, with the wind the sheets go away. You have to be careful not to be surprised confirms Issiaka Zangré, who has lived in this district since 2005. According to him, the problem that currently worries him is the concern for the roads. Indeed, the semblance of roads that organize this area are almost impassable after a rain.
The lack of means of draining rainwater leads to the parking of runoff water in the courtyards as well as on the roads, thus causing flooding and the accelerated degradation of these small roads. It is therefore necessary to make an obstacle course to join the main roads or prefer to stay at home. And for necessary needs you really have to tempt the devil. “Already out of the rainy season, the task is not easy for us women, who take care of most of the housework. During the rainy season it is even worse, we really suffer especially to fetch water which is so far away, it is not not an easy thing », we know that Bibata Ky.
In addition to these difficulties, there are a lot of social problems in this neighborhood which has become a risk zone. This moment is also a real ordeal for these Burkinabè who are faced with many diseases related to the sanitation of these precarious neighborhoods of Bobo-Dioulasso and sector 31 in particular.
These inhabitants are waiting to be located on their fate after the last censuses without success. They want the authorities to look into their situation, find solutions to the land problems and also review the high cost of rent and plots to allow them to live with dignity on the land of their ancestors.
Eugène KAM/trainee
