Kathiotte: For several years, the Katakel-Taïba road has become a real nightmare for the inhabitants of the commune of Kathiotte and the surrounding villages. This road, although strategic, is impassable, especially during the rainy season, forcing the population to manage on their own to maintain a minimum of traffic.

This morning, residents of the localities of Taïba, Ndiaye Counda, Mouye, Keur Demba, Santhie, Mandakh 1, 2 and 3, Katakal, among others, made a human investment to rebuild a collapsed bridge on this axis. This is a citizen initiative in the face of a situation that has persisted for too long.

A strategic road abandoned

The Katakel-Taïba road serves a vast area with high agricultural and livestock breeding potential. It constitutes a vital axis for the flow of produce, supplying markets and access to basic social services.

But every winter, it's the same scenario: total isolation. The waters cut off traffic, making any vehicle travel impossible.

Aly Cissé, spokesperson for the population, warns:

"During the rainy season, we live in hell. To get treatment in Kathiotte or Kaffrine, we sometimes have to walk for miles with the sick on carts. Pregnant women and children are the most exposed. It's a matter of life or death."

Permanent dangers for populations

Medical Emergencies: Several cases have been reported where sick or pregnant women have lost their lives due to not being able to reach a health center in time.

Accidents: The damaged bridge and muddy road surface regularly cause falls and accidents with carts or motorcycles.

Isolation of villages: In the event of flooding, populations remain stranded for days, without access to essential services.

A brake on economic development

Here is a more detailed and structured version that highlights the dangers and development challenges:

Katakel-Taïba Road: An ordeal for the population, an obstacle to local development

Kathiotte – For several years, the Katakel-Taïba road has become a nightmare for residents of the commune of Kathiotte and surrounding villages. This strategic route is impassable, especially during the rainy season, forcing residents to fend for themselves to maintain a minimum of traffic.

This morning, residents of the localities of Taïba, Ndiaye Counda, Mouye, Keur Demba, Santhie, Mandakh 1, 2 and 3, Katakal, among others, made a human investment to rebuild a collapsed bridge on this axis. This is a citizen initiative in the face of a situation that has persisted for too long.

A strategic road abandoned

The Katakel-Taïba road serves a vast area with high agricultural and livestock breeding potential. It constitutes a vital axis for the flow of produce, supplying markets and access to basic social services.

But every winter, it's the same scenario: total isolation. The waters cut off traffic, making any vehicle travel impossible.

Aly Cissé, spokesperson for the population, warns:

"During the rainy season, we live in hell. To get treatment in Kathiotte or Kaffrine, we sometimes have to walk for miles with the sick on carts. Pregnant women and children are the most exposed. It's a matter of life or death."

Permanent dangers for populations

Medical Emergencies: Several cases have been reported where sick or pregnant women have difficulty reaching a health center in time.

Accidents: The damaged bridge and muddy road surface regularly cause falls and accidents with carts or motorcycles.

Isolation of villages: In case of rain, populations remain stranded for days, without access to essential services.

A brake on economic development

Beyond mobility, the entire local economy is suffering. Farmers and ranchers are struggling to sell their agricultural products and livestock. Traders are seeing their businesses paralyzed. "How can we talk about development if the roads that connect us to markets are impassable?" asks Aly Cissé.

This road should be a lever for opening up an area that is full of agricultural and pastoral potential. On the contrary, it has become a factor of exclusion and poverty.

Residents are demanding a permanent solution, not empty promises. They believe the state must intervene quickly to rehabilitate the road and secure the bridge in order to put an end to this ordeal, which threatens not only the lives of local residents but also the development of an entire area.

It should be noted that this bridge cannot withstand certain rains because every year the population mobilizes for the reconstruction which does not last long.