Yesterday, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko presided over an inter-ministerial council focused on state infrastructure and assets. During the session, he presented the audit’s findings concerning numerous public projects and strategic holdings. Addressing government members, the head of the executive painted a grim picture of infrastructure and public land management. He cited uncompleted projects, underutilized equipment, and state-owned properties transferred under what he deemed questionable circumstances. Sonko also voiced his profound dissatisfaction with the judicial handling of several cases linked to public resource management.

During the meeting, Ousmane Sonko revealed that an inventory conducted by the Prime Minister’s office identified 245 infrastructure projects and strategic assets across the country that are currently stalled, unfinished, or significantly under-exploited. The collective cost for these projects, as presented, exceeds 5,000 billion FCfa. The Prime Minister underscored that this sum is nearly equivalent to Senegal’s entire annual national budget. He detailed the diverse range of affected infrastructures, including vital roads, hospitals, ports, sports stadiums, high schools, administrative complexes, and crucial cold storage facilities.

Deep-seated issues in infrastructure audit

Reflecting on the sheer scale of the funds involved, the head of government asserted that “the facts defy understanding” following the audit report’s presentation. He expressed his shock at the vast amount of resources tied up in infrastructures, some of which have remained unused for years. He noted that certain observers even equate this immobilized capital to the nation’s public debt, highlighting a significant challenge in African governance.

The audit presented at the Prime Minister’s office also highlighted 30 projects that are fully completed but have yet to be commissioned. Among these, 25 face what are described as major operational hurdles, representing a financial immobilization of 279 billion FCfa. The Prime Minister specifically mentioned the Port of Dakhonga, along with several fishing docks and cold storage facilities, which he stated received substantial investments but have failed to deliver the anticipated benefits to the populace.

Furthermore, the report elaborated on the status of projects still under construction. The figures released indicate that out of 94 ongoing infrastructure initiatives, 62 are effectively at a standstill. The financial commitment to these projects is estimated at over 5,227 billion FCfa. Ousmane Sonko particularly emphasized the case of the Sandiara high school. According to his statements, construction on this educational institution began in 2014 and remains incomplete. The Prime Minister condemned this protracted timeline as incompatible with the requirements for delivering critical educational infrastructure.

Beyond infrastructure, the inter-ministerial council also scrutinized the state’s land and real estate holdings. Data presented revealed 97 properties and land parcels, primarily located in the Dakar region, with an estimated value of 132 billion FCfa. Ousmane Sonko contended that several strategic state-owned lands were allegedly transferred under the previous administration without adhering to required procedures or obtaining parliamentary authorization when necessary.

On this matter, he cited the example of the former gendarmerie headquarters site, which he affirmed was initially sold to a private entity before being reclaimed by the state. The Prime Minister stated that certain plots of land, valued between 10 and 15 billion FCfa, were reportedly sold for less than one billion FCfa. The government asserts that numerous assets previously considered lost from national patrimony have since been recovered.

The judicial aspect of the matter formed another central point of discussion. Addressing Justice Minister Yassine Fall, Ousmane Sonko publicly articulated his bewilderment at the perceived lack of prosecutions in cases linked to these financial losses. He expressed doubts regarding the efficacy of the accountability process, remarking that he sometimes questions “if it is even worth continuing.”

The Prime Minister then asserted that “the system remains intact,” suggesting that certain officials implicated in the management of public funds continue to evade judicial scrutiny. He conveyed the difficulty of asking citizens to make sacrifices when those allegedly responsible for embezzlement or mismanagement are not being pursued. In a highly critical tone, he alluded to what he termed “judicial sabotage,” implicitly accusing certain magistrates of deliberately delaying the examination of sensitive cases. He reiterated his conviction that “the dossiers do not belong to the magistrates” but rather “to the Senegalese people,” hinting that he might “raise his voice” in the coming days.

In response to these criticisms, Justice Minister Yassine Fall assured that individuals found culpable would be held accountable for their actions. However, this response did not entirely allay the Prime Minister’s reservations, who stressed the urgent need to accelerate procedures and clearly define responsibilities.

Formation of a dedicated monitoring committee

To ensure proper follow-up on the decisions made, Ousmane Sonko announced the immediate establishment of a monitoring committee, directly overseen by the Prime Minister’s office and chaired by himself. This body will be tasked with continuing the inventory of stalled projects, identifying those responsible, and facilitating the search for financing solutions. The government is also exploring options to revalorize certain public assets through public-private partnerships or by leveraging these assets as financial tools via the Fonsis.

At the conclusion of the inter-ministerial council, the Prime Minister issued eleven directives aimed at addressing the identified financial, legal, and technical impediments. Among these measures are two designated as definitive. The first mandates the Minister, Secretary-General of the Government, in collaboration with the Minister of Infrastructure, relevant sectoral ministries, and all involved parties, to complete the inventory. The goal is to establish a comprehensive list of projects and infrastructures requiring commissioning, completion, or recycling and valorization. The second directive involves creating an inclusive committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, to continue the inventory work and ensure the diligent execution of all determined actions.

The remaining directives primarily focus on the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects. Ousmane Sonko instructed all ministers to prioritize better integration of technical aspects, specifically water, electricity, and telecommunication connections, as well as ensuring adequate equipment for infrastructures. He also emphasized the critical need to define sustainable operation, management, and maintenance models to guarantee the longevity of public investments, a key step for effective African governance.