Ousmane Sonko demands accountability over delayed sanitation program in Senegal

The neighborhood, plagued by recurring floods over the years, anxiously awaits the onset of rainy season.

Responding to inquiries by Saint-Louis’ mayor Mansour Faye regarding the completion of sanitation works in Pikine under the 10 Cities Modernization Program initiated over five years ago, Prime Minister Sonko issued a pointed reply.

Sonko demanded a detailed report on the issue, which has reportedly cost Senegalese taxpayers 60 billion CFA francs.

Recall that the Senegalese government launched this ambitious sanitation program across ten cities: Dakar, Saint-Louis, Pikine, Louga, Rufisque, Tivaouane, Matam, Kaolack, and Tambacounda.

With a total budget of 60 billion CFA francs, the program aimed to provide a tangible solution to Senegal’s sanitation challenges.

The initiative included plans for significant sanitation infrastructure in Tivaouane, Touba, Matam, and Tambacounda, expansion of existing facilities in Dakar, Pikine, Saint-Louis, and Rufisque, construction of independent infrastructure, a 14,000 m3 increase in wastewater treatment capacity, and resolution of flooding issues in Kaolack and Touba.

Upon completion, over 400,000 people were expected to benefit from improved sanitation facilities, with 300,000 gaining access to social sewer connections.

Despite its grand launch in Louga in March 2017 by former President Macky Sall, the project has since stalled.

The delay has raised concerns about accountability and efficient governance, prompting calls for transparency in the management of public projects aimed at improving the lives of Senegal’s urban populations.