Chad’s housing minister assesses N’Djamena’s flood defenses
Tchad : inspection ministérielle des infrastructures anti-inondations à N’Djamena
Le ministre tchadien de l’Habitat a inspecté les infrastructures du projet PILIER à N’Djamena pour évaluer leur capacité à prévenir les inondations, malgré des actes de vandalisme sur certains équipements.
By Khadidja Oumar Abdoulaye
As the rainy season approaches, Chad’s Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism, and Housing, Mahamat Assileck Halata, conducted a critical field inspection on June 25, 2026. The objective was to assess various infrastructures under the Integrated Project for Flood Control and Urban Resilience (PILIER) across N’Djamena. This visit aimed to gauge the progress of ongoing work and confirm the operational readiness of these vital structures designed to shield the capital from potential flooding.
The ministerial delegation embarked on a comprehensive tour, visiting several key locations. These included the Lamadji pumping station in the 10th arrondissement, the Chagoua municipal hangar, the N’Djari canal, the drainage systems near Toumaï Palace, the wastewater treatment plant, the Pedro site, and ongoing road improvement projects. A stop was also made at the 7th arrondissement’s municipal hangar to examine equipment and resources mobilized for flood prevention efforts.
Minister Halata emphasized that this tour forms part of the government’s ongoing commitment to monitoring initiatives aimed at mitigating risks associated with severe weather. He recalled that an evaluation meeting had been convened following recent rainfall to review the status of infrastructure projects, which benefit from World Bank support. During his visit to the Lamadji pumping station, Minister Mahamat Assileck Halata condemned the theft of essential electrical cables, critical for the proper functioning of some installations. He revealed that unidentified individuals had cut and removed these valuable components.
Despite this act of vandalism, the Minister reassured the public that the station remains functional, thanks to four other pumps still in active service. “Even with the cable theft, the station continues to operate. The available equipment ensures we can pump water effectively when needed,” he stated.
Furthermore, Minister Halata announced that new cables have already been ordered, again with support from the World Bank. Their delivery is anticipated by July 1, with technical officials estimating installation could be completed within one to two days. The inspection continued to the Sabangali pumping station and then to the generator workshop for the 10th arrondissement’s pumping stations. The tour concluded in the Toukra-Mousgoum neighborhood, where the Minister met with residents whose homes had been demolished by the 9th arrondissement’s municipality. He offered assurances regarding the reconstruction and rehabilitation of their dwellings.
Minister Halata clarified that this inspection mission underscores the authorities’ determination to ensure all PILIER project infrastructures are fully operational. This preparedness is crucial for limiting flood risks and bolstering N’Djamena’s urban resilience throughout the upcoming rainy season. He confirmed that his on-the-ground assessment indicated that all systems were functioning effectively.
In closing, the Minister reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to infrastructure projects and stormwater management initiatives, highlighting their indispensable role in protecting the populace and sustainably enhancing living conditions in Chad’s capital.