BUJUMBURA April 26th (ABP) – The national platform for the prevention and management of disaster risks organized, on Friday April 22, a field trip on the sites threatened by the ravines and rivers that cross the Bujumbura City Council and its surroundings. These are 12 critical points, in destruction, exacerbated by the effects of climate change.
In Muha commune, the visit concerned 5 points, namely the Kanyosha river, at 12th avenue, in Gikuku, Nkenga-Busoro, Kizingwe and Gisyo. In Mukaza commune there are two points including the Ntahangwa river in the Nyakabiga and Mugoboka zone.
In Ntahangwa commune, there are 5 points namely Nyenzari, Nyabagere, Nyakabugu/Cari in Gikungu zone, Nyamanogo in Kamenge zone and Bukirasazi in Kinama zone.
The director general of civil protection and disaster management at the same time, president of the national platform for risk prevention and disaster management, Mr. Anicet Nibaruta was at the head of that field trip. He noted that this field trip was organized with reference to the multi-risk mapping developed by experts with funding from the European Union. According to him, the said mapping has shown that landslides rank among the major risks threatening the country.
Mr. Nibaruta also noted that the descent was also inspired by the provisional note of the Geographical Institute of Burundi (IGEBU), which provides for “normal rainfall with a tendency to deficit” in the region of Imbo, between March and May.
“All the points visited show that there is an aggravation of the progressive destruction of these points”. For him, 3 major reasons explain this phenomenon. Heavy rainfall comes first, with rainwater passing through undeveloped watersheds. The second reason is “the cleaning activity which is done manually and without supervision”.
Thirdly comes the non-respect of environmental standards for building 25 meters from the banks of watercourses.
He appeals for the awareness of the administrative authorities and the population in order to take their responsibilities in relation to the respect of environmental standards. He asks the government to strengthen the operational capacities of the Burundian Housing Office (OBUHA) so that it is equal to its tasks, including the management of such cases. He called on the government to provide the national platform for risk prevention and disaster management with resources.
Finally, it suggests in-depth and extensive studies throughout the territory that would show the impact of landslides, their cost of prevention and that of repairing points already damaged, finally enlightening the partners who would contribute to the prevention or rehabilitation.
At the level of OBUHA, it is reported that efforts to rehabilitate certain critical points have been made. Those include stabilization: of the gutters in Nyabugete, of the Kanyosha, Mpimba, Cari, Nyakabugu rivers, according to the Commissioner General of OBUHA, Mr. Jean Pierre Gatore. He indicated that studies are underway for the stabilization of these ravines and rivers with the estimation of some quotes. Noting that a monitoring system with drone has been initiated to assess month by month the evolution of this aggravation.
Regarding the means, Mr. Gatore noted that they are looking for the side of the government and partners committed to the protection of the environment.
In that regard, he noted that the OBUHA had just received funding from the IOM which would be used for the stabilization of a ravine in Gasekebuye and subsequently that of Bukirasazi in the Kinama zone.