The Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, announced on Thursday in Dakar that 245 stalled infrastructure projects, representing a total public investment of 279 billion FCFA, have been identified nationwide.
Recalling a Council of Ministers meeting from April 15, Mr. Sonko stated that ministers were tasked with compiling an inventory of stalled projects under their respective ministries. “According to technical assessments, 245 halted projects have been recorded across the country,” he noted, emphasizing that their suspension has led to “dormant assets totaling 279 billion FCFA.”
These projects include both completed but unused infrastructures and those still under construction. The Prime Minister identified “financial constraints as the primary cause” of these project halts, though technical challenges also play a significant role.
To address the issue, Mr. Sonko announced two key measures: the establishment of a dedicated committee at the Prime Minister’s office to finalize the assessment and a formal request to expand the inventory, which he believes is incomplete. He also urged relevant agencies to “proactively address technical issues related to hydraulic and electrical network connections” for these projects.
The Prime Minister condemned the practice of constructing infrastructures without ensuring their operational readiness, calling it “unconscionable” and a major contributor to the delays. He decried the “substantial financial losses” resulting from these setbacks and stressed the need for “zero tolerance toward negligence, laxity, and deceitful practices” that lead to delivery delays and failures.
