4 March, 2025
Coinciding with the World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, Incatema has held the groundbreaking ceremony for the project to develop the Nianija Bolong River basin in the Kaffrine region (Senegal) to enhance the development of the primary sector.
The work is part of Lot 1 of the Senegalese government’s Water Resources Mobilisation Project (PROMOREN), which aims to promote agro-forestry and pastoral development and preserve rural ecosystems in river basins for the Office des Lacs et Cours d’Eau (OLAC) of the Ministry of Water and Sanitation.
‘The water infrastructures that we have just started to build will contribute to the development of agricultural and livestock farming activities, which are hampered by the severe droughts that the country suffers systematically. At the same time, fresh surface water will be protected to prevent the entry of salt water from the Gambia River via the Atlantic Ocean,’ says Fernando Diaz, Incatema’s director of infrastructures.
To achieve this goal, Incatema will carry out riverbed improvements along a 36 km section, increasing the water storage capacity from seasonal floods during the rainy season to optimize water resources in the first phase. ‘By systematically storing excess runoff water through the infrastructures designed in this project, we will prevent the flooding of farmland and nearby communities,’ said Díaz.
‘The implementation of this project is crucial for adapting to climate change in a country characterized by unpredictable rainfall. That is why investing in hydraulic infrastructure is essential to balance productive activities and the environment,’ concludes Díaz.
The World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development is celebrated on March 4 to highlight the importance and achievements of engineering on our planet, as well as to raise public awareness of the crucial role this discipline plays. Optimizing sustainable development is especially relevant in Africa and small island developing states, as they are the most affected by the impacts of climate change. This day was established during the 40th session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 2019.
Engineering for sustainable development in the water sector involves designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining water systems that are efficient, safe, and sustainable. This includes the design and construction of water infrastructure, such as treatment systems, as well as the management and maintenance of these systems.