As part of the protection of Ziga dam’s banks and catchment area through plant restoration, ONEA has carried out its traditional reforestation activity to contribute to the preservation of this dam, which covers 70% of the Burkina Faso capital city’s water needs.

The tree planting was chaired by ONEA’Secretary General, in the presence of directors, service heads and other staff, as well as Ziga Dam Wetland Union members. 25,000 seedlings were planted during the ceremony, including 15,000 to replace plants that did not survive the weather after the previous reforestation exercise; the remaining 10,000 were planted in ecologically degraded areas.

According to Mamadou SANOU, ONEA’s Secretary General, "ONEA has since 2004 undertaken the progressive reforestation of the Ziga dam’s catchment area in order to produce water naturally rid of polluting elements, combat desertification and also help preserve the environment."

"With regard to its objective, this activity is crucial to our mission of producing and distributing drinking water to the population. Ensuring raw water quality allows ONEA to control production costs and provide consumers with water that meets sanitary standards,” he added.

The seeded plants will be protected and monitored by ZIGA Dam Wetland Union members.