Keur Socé: populations oppose the closure of mini-drillings

The populations of Keur Socé, in the Kaolack department, are mobilizing against the announced closure of mini-drillings which supply water to 71 villages.

United within a collective, they held a press briefing this Friday to challenge the authorities and demand the preservation of these infrastructures. The members of the collective invited the State to intervene in order to avoid an interruption of the water supply to the villages concerned.

For the representatives of the collective, these works constitute the fruit of a collective investment and numerous sacrifices made by the populations. “These drillings are the result of a collective investment. These infrastructures were built thanks to the sacrifices of the populations. Closing them would amount to condemning the 71 villages that depend on them,” declared Ousmane Conté, speaking on behalf of the collective.

Faced with the prospect of a closure, people are expressing their deep concern about the consequences of such a decision on the living conditions of residents. They point out that these mini-boreholes play an essential role in the daily water supply of the localities served.
“Water is vital and anyone who tries to take it away from us will find us in their path. We are determined to fight this fight to the end,” insisted Mr. Conté.

During the press briefing, the collective called on the competent authorities to favor dialogue with the populations and to seek alternatives to guarantee the continuity of the service. For its members, any decision relating to the future of these infrastructures must take into account the realities and needs of the villages concerned.

The populations of Keur Socé intend to continue their mobilization to make their concerns heard. They hope for intervention from the public authorities so that a solution is found and that access to water is preserved for the 71 villages dependent on these works.