Amid recent revelations about state-owned buildings whose rental income is allegedly being diverted to private individuals, Maître Axel Foumane Dounga, a bailiff attached to the courts of Libreville, asserts that a national inventory of public property is now essential. He outlines why bailiffs are uniquely positioned to lead this effort to secure state assets.
Q: For several weeks now, the question of state property has been at the heart of the news with revelations about certain public buildings. What is your view on this situation?
A: These disclosures, whether fully confirmed or still needing further checks, have at least the merit of highlighting a critical issue: the need for a precise knowledge of the state’s assets. You cannot efficiently administer, protect, or enhance property without a reliable, updated, and legally secure inventory.
Beyond the emotion stirred by these revelations, this situation should be seen as an opportunity to launch a structural reform of public asset management.
Q: You propose that a national inventory be carried out. Why do you see this as indispensable today?
Because a modern state must know all its assets, both movable and immovable, with certainty. Such an inventory would allow each asset to be identified, its legal status verified, and its allocation, occupancy, and any revenue it generates to be controlled.
Above all, it is a tool for good governance. Without a precise assessment, it becomes difficult to detect irregular occupancies, misappropriations, or revenue losses resulting from poor management of public property.
Q: Why do you believe bailiffs should be involved in this operation?
Because bailiffs are ministerial public officers entrusted with an authentication mission. Our profession is specifically tasked with recording factual situations impartially and giving them evidentiary weight.
In the context of a national inventory, using bailiffs would offer several guarantees: neutrality of operations, detailed descriptions of assets, precise location, identification of any occupants, and the drawing up of official reports with true legal value. In other words, it would not be a simple administrative census, but an enforceable, secure inventory usable before all courts.
Q: Concretely, what would be the main objectives of such an operation?
They are numerous.
First, to precisely identify all assets belonging to the state, then to verify their legal status and method of use. This exercise would also help detect any unauthorized occupations or improper appropriations.
The goal is also to strengthen transparency in the management of public assets, improve governance, and above all, preserve state resources for the benefit of all Gabonese citizens.
Q: Do you think this initiative could contribute to the fight against corruption?
Very clearly. Mastering public property is a major lever for preventing misappropriations and conflicts of interest. When assets are perfectly identified, located, and documented, possibilities for irregular appropriation become much more limited.
It is also a powerful decision-making tool for public authorities, allowing them to better value state property, optimize its use, or decide on its allocation with full knowledge of the facts.
Q: What message would you like to send to the authorities?
I respectfully call on the President of the Republic to make this inventory operation a national priority. We are going through a period where demands for transparency, good governance, and accountability are particularly strong. It seems essential to me that Gabon equips itself with a comprehensive mapping of its public assets.
You can only effectively protect what you fully know. This inventory would be a precious legacy for future generations and a strong signal in favor of modern and responsible management of the nation’s assets.
