Farmers in Nioro Jattaba Struggle to Access Farmlands Amid Bridge Collapse and Flooding
In the midst of the rainy season, farmers in Nioro Jattaba, a rural community in The Gambia, are facing a severe challenge in accessing their farmlands due to the collapse of two bridges. The inaccessibility of their farmlands has become a major hurdle, with local farmer Mr. Jabel Bah lamenting, "With our movement restricted, agricultural productivity will suffer."
The problems posed by the collapsed bridges have been exacerbated by recent flooding caused by heavy rainfall. According to Councillor for Kiang Banta Ward, Mr. Momodou Sowe, the heavy downpour on Monday caused severe flooding at a bridge along the South Bank Highway between the villages of Nioro Jattaba and Sankandi.
Despite the National Road Authority’s initial intervention to address the flooding, the damage to farms is substantial. Regional authorities, including the Governor of Lower River Region (LRR) and National Assembly Member for Kiang West Constituency, have visited the area to witness the devastation firsthand. Mr. Sowe emphasized the urgent need for government and regional authorities to intervene in the restoration of access to agricultural sites for farmers.
The situation has put the transportation of crops and the safety of children and women at risk, according to Alagie Bah, another affected farmer. "This is a critical issue for our community, as agriculture forms the backbone of our livelihoods," he said.
As the community struggles to recover from the devastating effects of the bridge collapse and flooding, it remains to be seen when and how the authorities will restore access to the agricultural sites, ensuring the livelihoods of the affected farmers are protected.
