Senegal’s prime minister exposes stalled infrastructure projects worth 279 billion cfa francs
The Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, has revealed the existence of 245 stalled public infrastructure projects across the country, representing a total public investment of 279 billion West African CFA francs. Speaking during a ministerial council meeting in Dakar, Mr. Sonko highlighted the financial, technical, and administrative challenges that have left numerous infrastructure projects either incomplete or underutilized.
According to the technical assessment of the country’s infrastructure, these 245 stalled projects have resulted in what the Prime Minister termed ‘dormant assets’ amounting to 279 billion CFA francs. These include projects that were either completed but never put into service or were still under construction.
Financial constraints identified as the primary cause
The lack of adequate financial resources has been identified as the dominant factor contributing to the stagnation of these projects, Mr. Sonko stated. Additionally, technical challenges have also played a significant role in halting progress. Some projects were abandoned due to unresolved technical issues, while others suffered from poor planning and execution.
Government responds with decisive measures
In response to these findings, Ousmane Sonko announced two major initiatives. First, a dedicated committee will be established under the Prime Minister’s office to finalize and oversee the ongoing inventory of stalled projects. Second, a formal request will be made to expand the inventory, as the current assessment is deemed incomplete.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of anticipating technical challenges, particularly those related to the connection of hydraulic and electrical networks for infrastructure projects. He stressed that it is ‘unthinkable’ to construct infrastructure without considering its operational viability, a factor he believes has contributed to the current situation.
Call for zero tolerance against negligence
Ousmane Sonko condemned the ‘deceitfulness, negligence, and laxity’ that have led to project delays and failures. He called for a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to address these issues and prevent further financial losses. The Prime Minister’s remarks underscore the government’s commitment to improving project management and accountability in the public sector.
