The Minister of Public Works, Urbanism and Housing, Carlos Alberto dos Santos, carried out, in Benguela, on the sidelines of the inspection visit to the damage caused by the flow of the Coporolo river, in the commune of Dombe-Grande, regularization work on the Catumbela and Cavaco rivers , as soon as the rainy season ends.
Constantino Eduardo, in Benguela
The government official highlighted that the biggest concern, currently, lies with the Coporolo River whose flow, in recent times, has destroyed homes and crops in one of the largest food production centers in the central region of the country.
The Minister of Public Works, Urbanism and Housing was able to observe a reality that was widely reported by various media outlets and which clearly reflects the way in which agricultural fields and residences are being invaded by the waters of the Coporolo River.
“In fact, what we saw today worries us. There is an overflow of the water course with a very serious impact on human life, on agricultural areas, with a very serious impact on homes in that area and, obviously, we cannot fail to intervene”, he says.
According to the government official, who made these statements to the press, the intervention on the Coporolo River will be divided into several levels, highlighting, therefore, the construction of 4500 meters of linear dikes and desilting of the river, being certain that they are, for Now, three points considered critical were identified. These will therefore constitute an urgent intervention, which should begin in the near future, and will consist of reinforcing existing dikes and combating erosion on the banks.
“The technical teams took the data, which allows us to leave here with a firm idea of the work we must do now. A second phase, this time we will completely desilt the river”, he guarantees.
Therefore, the governor emphasizes, it is extremely imperative to define a river flow monitoring program to avoid situations like those that have been seen in the Catumbela, Cavaco and Coporolo rivers.
“We are not going to start a definitive intervention right now. As you know, works at this level need some time, we will prepare the project, but, above all, we are in rainy weather. And, in rainy weather, it is not common for us to carry out works of this type”, he says.
