Gabon urged to conduct national inventory of state assets with judicial oversight

The ongoing debate surrounding state-owned properties in Gabon, particularly revelations about buildings whose rental income allegedly benefits private individuals, has prompted urgent calls for a comprehensive national inventory. Maître Axel Foumane Dounga, a court bailiff in Libreville, asserts that this moment presents an opportunity to enhance public asset management through a structured, legally binding approach.

Why a national inventory is long overdue

Maître Foumane emphasizes that a modern state must maintain a precise, up-to-date record of all public assets—both movable and immovable. Such an inventory would serve as a cornerstone for verifying legal status, occupation legitimacy, and revenue generation, thereby exposing irregularities like unauthorized use or financial mismanagement.

Beyond reactive measures, he frames this effort as a proactive governance reform. Without verified documentation, detecting misuse or lost revenue becomes nearly impossible, leaving critical state resources vulnerable to inefficiency and corruption.

Huissiers de justice: the missing link in asset protection

The bailiff argues that judicial officers are uniquely positioned to lead this initiative due to their dual role as impartial public officials. Their mandate includes authenticating facts with judicial weight—ideal for an inventory requiring neutrality, meticulous documentation, and enforceable records.

Key benefits of involving huissiers would include:

• Legal certainty: Detailed descriptions, precise locations, and verified occupancy status captured in official reports.
• Opposability: The resulting inventory would carry legal weight, usable in courts to challenge irregularities or reclaim misappropriated assets.
• Transparency boost: Public access to verified data would demystify state holdings and curb speculative or corrupt practices.

Concrete outcomes for governance and anti-corruption

Maître Foumane outlines several immediate objectives for such an inventory:

• Mapping all state-owned properties with legal and fiscal clarity.
• Identifying squatting, illegal occupation, or misuse of assets.
• Recovering lost revenue streams tied to undocumented or misallocated properties.
• Providing policymakers with actionable data to optimize asset utilization or divestment.

He highlights the anti-corruption dimension, noting that a documented asset base drastically reduces opportunities for embezzlement and conflicts of interest. For instance, properties with clear titles and occupancy records are far less susceptible to fraudulent claims or revenue diversion.

A call to action for national leadership

In a plea to the highest authorities, Maître Foumane urges the President of the Republic to prioritize this inventory as a national imperative. He positions the exercise as both a governance milestone and a legacy project—one that would safeguard Gabon’s patrimony for future generations while signaling a commitment to modern, accountable public management.

The only assets we can truly protect are those we know inside and out. This inventory would be Gabon’s first step toward a future where every franc of public revenue is accounted for, and every asset serves the nation’s interests.