As the rainy season looms, Mahamat Assileck Halata, Chad’s Minister of Territorial Planning, Urbanism, and Housing, undertook a crucial field visit on June 25, 2026. His mission focused on various infrastructures within the Integrated Project for Flood Control and Urban Resilience (PILIER) across N’Djamena. The objective was clear: assess the progress of ongoing works and verify the operational readiness of structures vital for protecting the capital from potential flooding.

The ministerial delegation made several stops, inspecting key sites integral to the city’s N’Djamena flood prevention efforts. These included the Lamadji pumping station in the 10th arrondissement commune, the Chagoua municipal hangar, the N’Djari canal, the Toumaï Palace culverts, the wastewater treatment plant, the Pedro site, and various roadworks. A significant part of the tour also involved examining equipment and devices mobilized for flood control at the 7th arrondissement city hall hangar.

Minister Halata emphasized that this tour is a direct follow-up to the government’s ongoing initiatives to mitigate risks associated with severe weather. He recalled a prior evaluation meeting, convened after recent heavy rains, which assessed the condition of infrastructure developed with World Bank support. During his visit to the Lamadji pumping station, Halata strongly condemned the theft of essential electrical cables, describing them as high-value equipment severed and removed by unidentified individuals.

Despite this act of vandalism, the Minister reassured the public that the station remains functional, relying on its four other operational pumps. He stated, “Even with the cable theft, the station continues to operate. The available equipment allows us to pump water effectively when needed.”

Furthermore, Halata confirmed that new cables have already been ordered, again with the support of 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 serving the 10th arrondissement’s pumping stations. The tour concluded in the Toukra-Mousgoum neighborhood, where the Minister met residents whose homes had been demolished by the 9th arrondissement city hall, offering assurances regarding the reconstruction and rehabilitation of their dwellings.

Halata reiterated that this inspection mission aims to ensure all PILIER project infrastructure is fully operational to minimize flood risks and bolster N’Djamena’s urban resilience throughout the upcoming rainy season. He affirmed that the on-site visit confirmed everything is functioning effectively.

In closing, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to infrastructure projects and stormwater management, underscoring their critical role in safeguarding communities and sustainably improving their living conditions.