President Adama Barrow has unveiled a $70 million project to construct a modern drainage system within the Greater Banjul Area to tackle flooding problems.

The president made the disclosure today as he visited flood affected communities where houses were destroyed and many made homeless due to heavy rains over the weekend. 

He visited Ebo Town, Brikama, Mariama Kunda, Kotu bridge and Banjul.

“For the long-term problem, we have a lot of projects coming, one of the projects is the drainage for the Greater Banjul Area. 

“We have discussed a drainage project costing about $70 million to address the drainage problem and already we have submitted the project to the Indian government because we have a line of credit with the Indian government of about $200 million,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said: “By tomorrow we will sit and see what package we can use to support people because some of them need food and mattresses. 

“So, by tomorrow you will get an envelope to address the immediate problems.”

Barrow added: “There are lots of problems and the problem includes drainage – but some of the problems are man-made. One thing we have to accept is climate change and we have to adapt to climate change.” 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba