Garissa town traders appealed for the county government’s speedy implementation of a drainage system that will help alleviate the flooding problem that has been a constant occurrence in every rainy season.
Residents want the roads and transport department of the county to widen the CBD and construct larger culverts that will allow water flow into the River Tana.
“It is always flooding whenever it rains in this town. We want the county government to expand the roads within town and clear the drainage tunnels so that the water can flow freely without affecting us,” said Bashir Ahmed, a trader within the town.
Martin Elkudi, another trader, spoke to KNA today to say that poor garbage disposal in the town can also lead to flooding, especially when the drainage tunnels become blocked by garbage, which blocks water flow.
“We are asking the county government to conduct frequent garbage collection in the town and also look into the water tunnels and unblock them often so that we can end this problem for once,” Elkudi said.
“I also want to ask the residents to be responsible, especially on the dumping of garbage. It is not good even for our own health,” he added.
During an assessment visit at the CBD, Abdirahman Borr chairperson of the County Assembly Committee on Roads, Transport and Public Works, stated that they are currently preparing recommendations for the CEC, who is responsible for roads to ensure quick action in case of another downpour.
“We have seen a pathetic situation where the culverts have been destroyed by floods and some traders have encroached on the water paths. People have lost a lot of money in just one rainy day, we need prudent action before another downpour,” Borr said.
Nanigi MCA Abdullahi Ibrahim, who is also a member the committee, said that they will be working together with the urban roads department in order to expand the roads and create a better drainage system.
“The drainage system is not very good as at now. It needs to be expanded and cleaned. We will make these recommendations and table a report at the assembly so that action can be taken,” Ibrahim said.
After a heavy downpour, the town was flooded. This led to huge losses for traders, whose goods were washed away by water, thereby affecting their economic efforts.
By Grace Kamau
Source: kenyanews
