Traders in Garissa town have appealed to the county government to move with speed and establish a proper drainage system to help solve the flooding menace that has been experienced every rainy season.
The residents want the roads and transport department at the county to expand the roads in the CBD and construct bigger culverts that will allow water to flow into the nearby River Tana without flooding into business premises and streets.
“It is always flooding whenever it rains in this town. We want the county government to expand the roads within town and clear the drainage tunnels so that the water can flow freely without affecting us,” said Bashir Ahmed, a trader within the town.
Speaking to KNA today, Martin Elkudi, another trader, said that poor garbage disposal within the town is also another challenge leading to flooding especially when the drainage tunnels are blocked by garbage which prevents water flow.
“We are asking the county government to conduct frequent garbage collection in the town and also look into the water tunnels and unblock them often so that we can end this problem for once,” Elkudi said.
“I also want to ask the residents to be responsible, especially on the dumping of garbage. It is not good even for our own health,” he added.
Speaking at the CBD during an assessment visit, county assembly committee on Roads, transport and public works chairperson Abdirahman Borr, said that they are working on recommendations to the CEC in charge of roads for quick action before another downpour.
“We have seen a pathetic situation where the culverts have been destroyed by floods and some traders have encroached on the water paths. People have lost a lot of money in just one rainy day, we need prudent action before another downpour,” Borr said.
Nanigi MCA Abdullahi Ibrahim who is also a member of the committee said that they will be working with the urban roads department to see if the roads within the town can be expanded and have a more expanded drainage system as well.
“The drainage system is not very good as at now. It needs to be expanded, cleaned and maintained. We will make these recommendations and table a report at the assembly so that action can be taken,” Ibrahim said.
Last weekend, after a heavy downpour, the town was flooded with water leading to big losses for traders whose goods were washed away or spoiled by water derailing their economic efforts.
By Grace Kamau
