During a recent interministerial council focusing on state infrastructure and assets, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko presented the findings of a comprehensive audit on various 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 numerous unfinished projects, underutilized equipment, and state-owned properties allegedly transferred under questionable circumstances. Sonko also voiced his profound dissatisfaction with the judicial handling of cases related to the mismanagement of public funds.

At the meeting, Sonko revealed that an inventory conducted by the Prime Minister’s services identified 245 infrastructure projects and strategic assets across the nation that are currently blocked, incomplete, or underutilized. The total financial commitment for these projects surpasses 5,000 billion FCfa, a sum that, according to the Prime Minister, nearly equals Senegal’s entire annual budget. He detailed that the affected infrastructure includes roads, hospitals, ports, stadiums, high schools, administrative buildings, and cold storage facilities.

Challenges revealed by the infrastructure audit

Commenting on the staggering amounts involved, the head of government stated that the audit report’s revelations were “beyond comprehension.” He expressed his shock at the vast resources tied up in infrastructure, some of which have remained unused for years. Some observers, he noted, even equate this sum to the country’s national public debt.

The audit presented to the Prime Minister’s office also highlighted 30 projects that are fully completed but not yet operational. Among these, 25 face significant impediments, representing a financial immobilization of 279 billion FCfa. Sonko specifically mentioned the Port of Dakhonga, as well as several fishing docks and cold storage facilities, which, despite substantial investments, have failed to deliver the anticipated benefits to the populace.

Furthermore, the report addressed projects still under construction. Out of 94 infrastructure projects currently underway, 62 are virtually at a standstill. The financial volume committed to these projects is estimated at over 5,227 billion FCfa. Sonko underscored the case of the Sandiara high school, noting that construction began in 2014 and remains unfinished. The Prime Minister condemned this prolonged timeline as unacceptable for an educational infrastructure project.

Beyond infrastructure, the interministerial council also examined state land and real estate assets. Data presented indicated 97 properties, primarily in the Dakar region, with an estimated value of 132 billion FCfa. Ousmane Sonko alleged that several strategic state lands were transferred under the previous administration without adherence to proper procedures or, where necessary, without parliamentary approval.

He cited the former gendarmerie headquarters site as an example, claiming it was initially sold to a private entity before being reclaimed by the state. The Prime Minister stated that some lands valued between 10 and 15 billion FCfa were allegedly sold for less than one billion FCfa. The current government asserts that several assets deemed to have been improperly removed from national patrimony have since been recovered.

The judicial aspect of these files formed another critical point of discussion. Addressing Justice Minister Yassine Fall, Ousmane Sonko publicly voiced his perplexity regarding the perceived lack of prosecutions in cases related to these financial losses. He expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the accountability process, stating that he sometimes questions “if it is even worth continuing.”

The Prime Minister went on to affirm that “the system is intact,” suggesting that some officials implicated in public fund management continue to evade judicial scrutiny. He argued that it is challenging to ask citizens for sacrifices when alleged perpetrators of embezzlement or mismanagement are not being pursued. With strong criticism, he spoke of what he termed “judicial sabotage,” implicitly accusing certain magistrates of delaying the examination of sensitive cases. He reiterated his view that “the files do not belong to the magistrates” but “to the Senegalese people,” hinting at a potential escalation of his stance in the coming days.

In response to these criticisms, Justice Minister Yassine Fall assured that those found guilty would be held accountable for their actions. However, this response did not fully alleviate the Prime Minister’s concerns, who emphasized the urgent need to expedite procedures and clarify responsibilities.

Establishment of a monitoring committee

To ensure the implementation of decisions, Ousmane Sonko announced the immediate formation of a monitoring committee, directly under the Prime Minister’s authority and chaired by himself. This body will be tasked with continuing the inventory of stalled projects, identifying responsible parties, and facilitating the search for financing solutions. The government also intends to revalorize certain public assets through public-private partnerships or by leveraging these assets as financial instruments via Fonsis.

At the conclusion of the interministerial council, the Prime Minister issued eleven directives aimed at addressing the financial, legal, and technical obstacles identified. Among these measures are two designated as definitive. The first mandates the Minister, Secretary-General of the Government, in coordination with the Minister of Infrastructure, sectoral ministries, and relevant stakeholders, to continue the inventory to create an exhaustive list of projects and infrastructure to be commissioned, completed, or repurposed and valorized. The second provides for the establishment of an inclusive committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, responsible for continuing the inventory work and ensuring the diligent execution of chosen actions.

The remaining directives primarily focus on the planning and execution of infrastructure projects. Ousmane Sonko instructed all ministers to prioritize technical considerations, including connections to water, electricity, and telecommunication networks, as well as ensuring adequate equipment for infrastructure. He also stressed the importance of defining sustainable operational, management, and maintenance models to guarantee the longevity of public investments.