With the rainy season fast approaching, Mahamat Assileck Halata, the Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Housing, conducted a comprehensive field inspection on June 25, 2026. The mission focused on auditing various sites under the Integrated Project for Flood Control and Urban Resilience (PILIER) to confirm that N’Djamena is prepared to withstand potential deluges.
Comprehensive technical tour of drainage sites
The ministerial delegation traversed several key locations across the capital. This included the Lamadji pumping station situated in the 10th district, the municipal hangar in Chagoua, and the N’Djari canal. Further checks were performed at the Toumaï Palace gutters, the local sewage facility, and the Pedro site, alongside various ongoing roadwork projects. The team also visited the 7th district municipal hangar to verify the equipment readiness for emergency response.
This oversight initiative is part of a broader strategy to mitigate weather-related risks. Following recent rainfall, an evaluation meeting was held to analyze the performance of infrastructures built with support from the World Bank. During the stop at the Lamadji station, Minister Mahamat Assileck Halata highlighted a serious issue: the theft of vital electrical cables. These high-value components were cut and removed by unidentified individuals, threatening the facility’s efficiency.
Resilience despite acts of vandalism
Despite the damage caused by these thefts, the Minister provided assurances that the station remains functional. With four pumps still in operation, the facility maintains the capacity to drain excess water when needed. To restore full power, new cables have been ordered through World Bank funding and are expected to arrive by July 1. Technicians anticipate that the repairs will be completed within forty-eight hours of delivery.
The inspection continued through the Sabangali pumping station and the generator workshops in the 10th district. The tour concluded in the Toukra-Mousgoum neighborhood. There, the Minister met with local families whose homes had been dismantled by the 9th district authorities. He offered personal reassurances that the government would oversee the reconstruction and rehabilitation of their residences.
Commitment to urban safety
The primary goal of this mission was to ensure that the PILIER project’s network is fully operational. Based on the day’s observations, the infrastructure is performing well, which is crucial for strengthening the urban resilience of N’Djamena. The government remains firmly committed to enhancing drainage systems and water management to protect citizens and improve long-term living conditions in the face of seasonal challenges.