A public meeting was held last Saturday on site to discuss the way forward with regard to the issue of flooding that are affecting residents of the Blue Lagoon area, Anse à la Mouche in the Baie Lazare district.

The meeting, organised by the ministry responsible for climate change and environment, the Planning Authority and the member of the National Assembly for Baie Lazare, François Adelaide, was attended by a few residents and was quite animated.

MNA Adelaide noted that this meeting was long overdue and “the reason is that every December, when there is heavy rainfall, this area is flooded. The residents suffer quite a bit and we focused mainly on that issue”, shared Mr Adelaide.

Other concerns brought forward were the bin sites and a new drainage being built. MNA Adelaide explained that he himself brought this issue several times before the Assembly.

“We do have an issue as our district has hotels and guest houses and at the bin sites, we see all kinds of garbage. We have agreed to come up with an action plan on this matter and all residents are ready to come forward with other ideas to help mitigate this issue. We will act upon it as soon as possible in order to bring a difference in our district.”

MNA Adelaide noted that the flooding is also being caused due to encroachment of several plots of land and for this December, the residents and the authorities will work on the drainage to help with the flow of water.

In the meeting representatives of the Planning Authority as well as the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change & Environment, Flavien Joubert, also contributed towards how to better manage this situation.

After the meeting, Minister Joubert shared there is already a plan for Anse à la Mouche for 2023. “We will adjust our plan after the suggestions received today and we will review the concerns that we did not pay too much attention on. We appreciate that this meeting happened this month so that we can start the new year with actions.”

Minister Joubert also visited the areas affected by the flooding and he shared that the major problem is the way the area was developed.

“Due to some constructions, there are some blockages impeding the smooth flow of water. The water culverts underneath the bridges also are too small and need to be widened. The area is flat and it is inevitable there will be flooding when there is heavy rain but we will work to improve the water outlets so as to mitigate the situation until we come up with other alternatives.”

Minister Joubert also clearly noted that not all issues will be solved immediately but the most pressing will be done for the residents.

During the meeting, residents asked for continuous visits from the authorities in order to see if order is being maintained in this specific area.

Source: Seychelles Nation