They believed in the dream of becoming owners. Officials, teachers, health workers and citizens from the diaspora paid several million CFA francs to Peacock Investments, seduced by the promises of modern housing in Diamniadio. Today, they are hundreds of waiting in vain for the realization of this commitment. The flagship project, baptized “City of civil servants”, carried by the company directed until recently by the Moroccan Adil Dbilij, promised the construction of 2,850 social housing units on 72 hectares. An attractive plan that had attracted many subscribers throughout Senegal and abroad. But almost five years after the first payments, the majority of beneficiaries have still received nothing.
Desperate and financially exhausted customers
« I paid more than 15 million FCFA in 2020. I had been promised delivery in 2022. We are in 2025 and I did not even see the shadow of a house, ”says MN, public agent in Thiès.
Testimonies flock and are very similar. “” I have paid all of the 49 million since 2021. Four years later, I still do not have the keys to my house, ”says AD, a banking frame that requested anonymity. “The most revolting is that some customers, who arrived well after us, managed to obtain their accommodation at 45 million, when we had to pay 49 million. »
For Ms. S., a teacher in the Diourbel region, the situation is catastrophic: ” It is a psychological torture. We have put all our savings in there. Some have taken out bank loans. And in the end, we have neither accommodation nor certainty. “A member of the diaspora based in France, MF, expresses his frustration:” I invested nearly 30 million FCFA between 2019 and 2022. I had planned to return to the country this year. But how to do without a roof? »
A site in slow motion and blurred explanations
To date, only 150 dwellings have been delivered – a tiny portion of what had been planned in the first phase of the project. In the field, the work is progressing slowly, and no clear delivery date is communicated to the remaining customers.
« Whenever we go to the site, we find that almost nothing has advanced for months, ”deplores MB, a civil servant at the Ministry of Education. “The few workers present tell us that they lack materials. Meanwhile, our bank drafts continue to be taken. »
A client, Mrs. D., midwife in Dakar, says: ” At first, they answered our calls. Now, no one picks up. During my last visit to the offices, an agent even suggested that I take my pain in patience ‘. I paid more than 25 million! How can we treat us like this? »
For many of them, which was a life project has become a source of stress, debt and bitterness. Some are considering justice collective actions, others have already seized lawyers. The company’s lack of communication further aggravates frustration.
A management marked with scandals
In addition to delays, Peacock Investments was shaken by several internal crises. In 2023, a diversion of nearly 900 million FCFA by an accountant of the company was revealed. Land tensions around the Dougar site have also blocked the progress of several sites.
« We learned from the press that part of the funds had been diverted“, Indigates MG, health worker in Kaolack. “This money is ours!” How to explain that such diversion could have occurred without internal control? »»
Meanwhile, customers have received no refund or clear solution. Some fear today never to see their accommodation.
-A generalized climate of mistrust
The arrest in February 2025 of Adil Dbilij, former director general of Peacock Investments, for alleged facts of breach of trust, rekindled concern. If justice follows its course, the subscribers want concrete answers.
« We are told about trials, land documents … But we, what we want are our houses. Nothing else“, Lance MT, a member of the collective of injured customers.
Ms. L., manager in a telecommunications and client company since 2020, adds: ” Authorities must intervene urgently. These are the savings of a lifetime for many of us. We are ready to demonstrate in front of the Ministry of Housing if necessary. »
Employees also denounce abuse
The discomfort is not limited to customers. Internally, Peacock Investments employees also report deplorable working conditions. “” We regularly work more than 40 hours per week, without any compensation for overtime“, Confides an employee on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals.
Even more serious, several employees claim to have bought land from the company, but are found today in a dead end. “” The management categorically refuses to sign the acquisition contracts for our land. We have paid, but we have no official document proving that we are owners“, Dress another employee.
The social climate seems particularly tense within the company. “” Any attempt to create a union is immediately repressed. We were clearly made to understand that we risk sanctions, even a dismissal, if we tried to organize collectively“, Testifies a company’s executive.
These revelations on internal management throw an even more raw light on the dysfunctions of Peacock Investments and raise questions about its global governance.
And now ?
The situation acutely poses the question of consumer protection in the Senegalese real estate sector. Many call for stricter regulation, better monitoring of private projects and supervision of commitments made by the promoters.
« It is a real obstacle course ”summarizes MK, teacher-researcher and improvised spokesperson for a group of victims. “” We have done everything in the rules: regular payments, signing of contracts, compliance with deadlines. But on the other side, nothing follows. The price difference between the first and the latest customers shows the lack of transparency. »
In the meantime, the subscribers of Peacock Investments remain in uncertainty, between anger, disillusionment … and hope that justice will be done one day by the keys to their house in hand.
