The Ivorian government through the Ministry of Hydraulics, Sanitation and Safety has launched an operation called ‘Rainy season, zero deaths’.
The operation flagged off by Bouake Fofana, minister in charge of the ministry, will oversee the demolition of structures situated in dangerous areas and on public rights-of-way which may obstruct the passage of rainwater in the commercial hub – Abidjan and other parts of the country.
This project will immediately be executed in other municipalities including Adjamé and Plateau came days after Prime Minister Patrick Achi ordered the destruction of all structures built on the sewage outflow routes.
Fofana expressed regret over the pain affected property owners may face but maintained that his government intends to keep the population alive at all costs.
Flood-related deaths and landslides are a regular occurrence in Abidjan during the rainy season.
At least 15 people died, including six by landslides with 114 others injured while 11,900 people were affected and around 1,900 houses were damaged by the end of the 2022 wet season according to officials.
