Recent revelations regarding state-owned buildings, where private entities reportedly collect rental income, have ignited significant public debate in Gabon. I recently spoke with Maître Axel Foumane Dounga, a respected bailiff practicing before the courts in Libreville, who believes the time is ripe for a comprehensive national inventory of public assets. As a public ministerial officer, Maître Foumane Dounga asserts that bailiffs are uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in this crucial undertaking to safeguard state property.
The issue of state patrimony has been central to current events for several weeks, with disclosures about specific public properties. I asked Maître Axel Foumane Dounga for his perspective on this evolving situation.
Maître Axel Foumane Dounga: These emerging details, whether fully substantiated or still requiring verification, undeniably highlight a fundamental challenge: the imperative for a thorough understanding of state assets. It’s simply impossible to effectively manage, protect, or leverage any patrimony without a reliable, current, and legally robust inventory.
Beyond the initial emotional response these revelations might provoke, this situation should be viewed as a vital opportunity to initiate a structural reform in how public assets are managed.
You advocate for a national inventory. Why do you consider this approach indispensable right now?
A modern state must possess precise knowledge of all its holdings, both movable and immovable. Such an inventory would facilitate the identification of each asset, verify its legal status, and meticulously monitor its allocation, occupancy, and any revenue it generates.
Fundamentally, this is a tool for robust governance. Without an accurate assessment, it becomes exceedingly difficult to detect unauthorized occupations, misappropriations, or revenue losses that can result from inefficient public asset management.
Why do you believe bailiffs should be involved in this operation?
Bailiffs are public ministerial officers entrusted with a mission of authentication. Our profession specifically involves impartially observing factual situations and conferring undeniable probative force upon them.
Engaging bailiffs in a national inventory would offer several key guarantees: the neutrality of the operations, detailed descriptions of assets, precise geographical location, identification of any occupants, and the creation of official reports (procès-verbaux) that hold genuine legal weight. In essence, this would transcend a mere administrative census, becoming an enforceable, secure, and legally actionable inventory usable across all jurisdictions.
Concretely, what would be the primary objectives of such an operation?
The objectives are numerous.
Firstly, it would involve precisely identifying all properties belonging to the State, then verifying their legal standing and method of exploitation. This exercise would also enable the detection of any occupations without legal title or undue appropriations.
The aim is also to enhance transparency in the management of public assets, improve overall governance, and critically, preserve the State’s resources for the benefit of all Gabonese citizens.
Do you believe this initiative could contribute to the fight against corruption?
Absolutely. A comprehensive grasp of public assets represents a significant lever for preventing embezzlement and conflicts of interest. When an asset is perfectly identified, located, and documented, the opportunities for irregular appropriation become considerably more restricted.
It also serves as an invaluable decision-making tool for public authorities, allowing them to better value state property, optimize its use, or determine its allocation with full awareness of all facts.
What message do you wish to convey to the authorities?
I respectfully appeal to the President of the Republic to elevate this inventory operation to a national priority. We are currently navigating a period where the demands for transparency, good governance, and accountability are particularly strong. It strikes me as essential that Gabon equips itself with an exhaustive map of its public assets.
One can only effectively protect what one knows perfectly. This inventory would constitute a precious legacy for future generations and send a powerful signal in favor of modern, responsible management of the Nation’s assets.
