Residents of Diokoul Mbelbouck (Kaffrine department) held a press conference to denounce the water management practices of the company FLEX Eau. Speaking through their spokespeople, Moustapha Ndao and Mame Ballé Ndao, the residents stated that they have been experiencing a chronic water shortage since the company's arrival and are now demanding its immediate departure.

Speaking at the event, Moustapha Ndao described a situation that had become unbearable for the residents. “We are gathered here today to give voice to the people of Djoko and to express their anger towards the FLEX Eau company. Since its establishment in the area, the residents have been living through a real ordeal due to the lack of water,” he declared. According to him, the water shortage recurs every year for several months.

“Every year, from February to June, the water stops flowing from the taps. The people are literally thirsty. Despite numerous warnings addressed to administrative authorities and those in charge of the country, no lasting solution has been found,” he added.

The residents' spokesperson also denounced the price of water, which was deemed too high.

“Normally, rural areas should benefit from positive discrimination. But in reality, water is sometimes cheaper in the city than here. Not only is it more expensive, but it is also unavailable for long periods,” he lamented.

For his part, Mame Ballé Ndao asserts that the patience of the people has run out.

“Today, the population has had enough. From now on, what we are asking for is no longer the repair or maintenance of the network. We are simply asking for the immediate departure of the company,” he stated.

According to him, the residents are ready to take over the management of the well themselves.

"The people are determined. We have already warned the authorities that the inhabitants are ready to take over the management of the well themselves, as was done before," he explained.

The local people point out that this well was drilled during the presidency of Abdou Diouf and that it had never experienced any major difficulties before the company arrived.

Today, the village has over 9,000 inhabitants served by a single borehole, with no significant expansion of the water supply network. This situation forces residents to travel several kilometers to find water.

"If you leave the village, you will see lines of carts carrying jerrycans to fetch water from other localities," the residents said.

The situation is even more difficult during periods of intense heat and during the month of Ramadan, when temperatures become particularly high.

The final straw reportedly came last week when officials asked residents to replace their water meters at their own expense.

"We are being asked to change the meters for 12,000 CFA francs. This is totally unacceptable for the people," the spokespeople denounced.

Faced with this situation, the residents warn that their decision is irreversible.

"People want to regain their dignity, their freedom and preserve their health. Today, they are simply saying: enough is enough, this is too much," the spokespeople concluded.