The residents of sector 23 are facing difficult situations. Until now, several homes in this part of the city are deprived of either water or electricity, or both at the same time. And this September 19, 2023, it’s still the status quo.
Being faced with inaccessibility to running water, poor road conditions and the absence of electricity is the routine for residents of sector 23 of Bobo-Dioulasso. For households that have been able to access the drinking water network, they must face untimely shortages. Faced with this situation, some households have opted to install boreholes for their personal use and others make them available for local residents. At 1 p.m. this September 29, we took stock in the streets of sector 23.
From these boreholes, water is only accessible in the presence of the sun, because they are powered by photovoltaic panels. Mainly women and children are therefore forced to line up in order to take turns serving each other. SB, a student in class 2nde explain that “I have to go to the borehole after school, under the sun, to fetch water for a family of six. If it’s not like this, we won’t be able to shower or cook tonight.” Mrs. D. next door says she has been there since 9 a.m. in the hope of having something to use in the evening for showering and cooking. She adds that without water we can’t do anything. At sunset, some leave in despair because they did not have this “precious liquid”. These residents are not faced with this sad reality alone.
In sector 23 there are also impassable roads
In this vast neighborhood, residents struggle to move with their machines, especially during this rainy season. They face a severe test. MP assures that he lives 3km from the tarmac. When he wants to go out, the state of the track worries him. Just like him, many people fear the roads, especially after rain, and prefer to stay at home. Some also say they prefer to return in the rain because of the problem of rainwater drainage. The poor state of the roads is one of the causes of accidents in this district, mainly with heavy goods vehicles. K. R, a truck driver claims to have had an accident in this neighborhood because of the holes. Like him, motorcycles, cars, tricycles suffer the same fate because of the same problem. The absence of electricity is not to be outdone, especially in the evening.
At night in sector 23, it’s dark
Faced with the absence of the National Electricity Company of Burkina (SONABEL), solar energy promotes access to electricity in this district. MK explains that “I have been in this neighborhood for three years now. The solar panels cannot supply us, especially in this rainy season, my batteries do not charge properly. Very often, I have to travel to watch a football match in town.”
Access to electricity is necessary for essential household activities. Its lack can limit income creation possibilities and affect the ability of populations to improve their living conditions. Mrs. S. said this: “I sold juice and ice cream in my old neighborhood and it did well. Arriving at sector 23, I wanted to continue, but there is no electricity. With solar panels we cannot plug in the fridges. I unplugged while waiting for the electricity.” Her wish is for the arrival of electricity so that she can carry out her activity. These residents try to meet their needs with water, electricity and deal with the poor state of the roads, hoping for a positive change in the near future.
Oumou-Koulsoum OUEDRAOGO/Intern
