Government reveals massive infrastructure delays costing billions
Dakar, Senegal — The Senegalese government has uncovered 245 stalled infrastructure projects nationwide, with an estimated public investment value of 279 billion West African CFA francs, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced today.
Addressing officials during an interministerial infrastructure meeting, Sonko revealed that a nationwide technical assessment of infrastructure projects identified these delays. The total financial impact of these stalled projects has created dormant assets worth 279 billion CFA francs.
The Prime Minister explained that the stalled projects fall into two categories: those completed but not yet operational, and those still under construction. Financial constraints emerged as the primary obstacle, though technical challenges also contribute to the delays.
Sonko outlined two major decisions to address the situation: establishing a dedicated committee within the Prime Minister’s office to oversee and finalize the assessment, and requesting a comprehensive expansion of the inventory, which he believes remains incomplete.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of anticipating technical issues, particularly concerning hydraulic and electrical network connections, before commencing new infrastructure projects.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Sonko criticized the lack of forward planning in infrastructure development, calling it “unconceivable” to build without considering future operational needs. He stressed that negligence and lax oversight have led to significant financial losses and project delays.
Sonko called for a zero-tolerance approach to address the root causes of these infrastructure delays, pointing to dishonesty and complacency as key factors behind the stalled projects.
