By Nelson Manneh
MP For Bundung Install Pumping Machines to Dislocate Flooded Waters
By Nelson Manneh
The National Assembly Member for Bundung-Ka Kunda Honourable Sulayman Jammeh as a result of the recent heavy downpour has introduced the use of water pumping machines to remove waters that flooded in compounds within his Constituency.
Honourable Jammeh who served as a Councilor prior to ascending to the National Assembly of the Gambia said his priority as a representative is to serve his community to the best of his abilities.
“I don’t sleep whenever it rains, my mind will be on my people. The past downpour has left some people in my community homeless, some have now become internally displaced and it has also separated some families,” he said.
Last week a heavy downpour has left tents of families within the Greater Banjul Area homeless as the rainwater entered some compounds thereby causing flood and destroying many properties and foodstuff.
The Member for Bundung-Ka Kunda said when he visited the flood victims and saw the disaster that occurred he joined them to remove the water in their houses.
“As we were trying to remove the water I realised that this will not be the solution, I then thought of a temporal solution and came up with the idea of installing a temporal pumping machine to ease the removal of water from these affected compounds,” he disclosed.
Jammeh said the pumping machine is just a temporal solution to the ongoing flooding; adding that there is a permanent solution to the issue. “The solution to the problem is simple, some of the compounds within the affected areas are low which is why when it rains the water doesn’t go. There is a lot of sand along the water that needs to be removed in order for the rainwater to run smoothly.”
The Bundung Lawmaker explained that it is the responsibility of the Government to come up with a permanent solution to the problem but as of now people are suffering and need to be rescued.
He said he bought a new pumping machine to be used by flood victims in order to remove the stagnant waters in their compounds, notwithstanding, he urged the Government especially the local authorities to come up with temporal solutions to relief the flood victims.
“I believe in community services, and I believe in making positive impacts on my people. Visiting victims of this terrible flood is not enough, they need more support and attention in these trying moments,” he said.
Honourable Jammeh said he intends to buy more water pumping machines and give them to his two Ward Councilors for any future emergency. “We should prevent disasters but not an opportunity to enrich ourselves,” said the MP.
