The decision of the authorities to suspend all state operations on the coast of Dakar and several other contentious developments in the interior of the country continues to give rise to various reactions and assessments. All against a backdrop of twists and turns, “scandals” presumed and “unspoken” in the complex issue of land management in Senegal including that of Thiès (Mbour 4).
The Mediator of the Republic organizes a workshop “exchanges on land in Senegal”. The meeting which is being held this Tuesday 07 and tomorrow Wednesday 08 May 2024, from 9 a.m., in Dakar, “aims to: take stock of the problem; to enable the Mediator to better document his recommendations and proposals for reforms for transparent and fair management of land in Senegal, particularly in rural areas., informs a press release. This seminar is being held in a context of twists and turns against a backdrop of “scandals” presumed and “unspoken” in the complex issue of land management in Senegal, particularly the coastal and Thiès (Mbour 4) issues.
“It is inconceivable, in the name of social justice, and the right of each citizen to decent housing, to see a Thiessois, without particular merit, receive 13 hectares (ha), while the City only has 3 . It is unacceptable that this person feels comfortable looking at his fellow citizens and even asking for their support in running this city. Believe me, this will not go unpunished.” declared the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, during an unannounced visit he made on Wednesday 1er May 2024, in the morning, at Mbour 4, in Thiès, to inquire about the situation on site, following its recent decision to stop construction work in certain areas including maritime areas.
While Senegalese people are wondering about the identity of this politician indexed by the head of state, we are witnessing a twist in this issue. According to the daily Bes-Bi, President Diomaye Faye referred to Idrissa Seck, holder of TFNKM/27, with a plot of 13 hectares in the ZAC zone (Concerted Development Zone). Indeed, unlike Thiès Ville Neuve, the New Town of Thiès-Fandène-Notto-Keur Mousseu where it was the Ministry of Urban Planning and the Director of Lands who were responsible for the distribution of land, in Mbour 4, the Land allocations were made in hectares. However, starting from yesterday’s Monday edition of this newspaper, the evil is deeper because these 13 hectares are only the tree which hides the forest of plots granted to other beneficiaries, notably political dignitaries, men of business, religious leaders etc.
IDENTITY OF BENEFICIARIES OF “JOYL PRIZES” IN MBOUR 4
In addition to the former mayor of the city of Thiès and president of Rewmi, Idrissa Seck, whose 13 ha seem to offend more than one, Kalidou Wagué also benefited from three land titles (3TF) for a total of 17 ha. The artist and businessman Youssou Ndour is the beneficiary of the TFNKM/75 whose surface area is 05 ha, Antoine Félix Abdoulaye Diome, the Minister of the Interior at the time of the facts, in July 2023, and Augustin Tine are the owners of the TFNKM/96 with 05 ha and TFNKM/145 with 05 ha. Mouhamadou Lamine Massaly benefits from 40 plots, under TFNKM/104.
Former minister Daouda Dia has TFNKM/132 with 01 ha and Arona Dia has TFNKM/98 with 10 ha. There are also former ministers Mor Ngom beneficiary of TFNKM/138 with 01 ha and Doudou Ka 10 ha. Cheikh Oumar Anne owns 3 TF which make up 05 ha. The deputy mayor of Gniby, Ami Ndiaye, is the recipient of TFNKM/169 of 01 ha. Jean Paul Diaz has his TFNKM/208 of 05 ha. We find on the list of beneficiaries Pape Diop with the TFNKM/26, covering an area of 10 hectares in the same area, the deputy Abdou Mbow, with both the TFNKM/117 of 01 hectare and the TFNKM/170 of a surface area of 01 hectare also.
Drawing up an inventory of the Thiès housing estates, the newspaper also notes the plots which belong to several services and organizations. Thus, with regard to the different local authorities, the commune of Keur Moussa obtained 25 plots, the commune of Thiès-Nord 50, the town of Thiès 120, the commune of Fandène 50, the commune of Thiès-Ouest 65, the commune of Thiès-Est 50, the Departmental Council of Thiès 50.
In addition, neighborhood delegates benefited from 47 plots, traditional communicators 10, the press 27, justice 163, civil society 50, religious 100, disabled people 10 plots or even veterans 25. And the list is far from exhaustive. There remain, however, other allocations not yet listed and which are the subject of requests for plots and various disputes, numbering 636. In the meantime, some justify these allocations by a “authority decision” and his “care not to leave any component” Population.
SPECTRUM OF A SITUATION WHERE THE STATE WOULD FIND ITSELF IN A TORT SITUATION
A situation which motivated the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, in his decision to bring order to the land sector, to commit “to suspend all operations on the grounds of Mbour 4 and those in the same situation”. While denouncing “serious distortions to equality and fairness between citizens”, on this site, the first part of which is located in the commune of Thiès-Ouest, in the town of Thiès, while the second part, more recent and covering more than 2000 hectares, is located in the commune of Keur Mousseu.
This measurement follows the decisions taken approximately a week earlier, requesting in particular the cessation of work on the coast and the suspension of state procedures and operations on certain disputed subdivisions. Through a circular letter dated April 29, 2024, the Minister of Finance and Budget contacted the Director General of Taxes and Lands (DGID) who is asked to take measures concerning the nagging question of land, the subject of disputes. . Better, the document lists the areas and land operations concerned by this decision to stop work in several subdivisions, notably in Dakar, Thiès, Mbour and Saint-Louis.
However, this decision by the authority to stop all procedures and work, particularly on the coast, is considered to be “unfounded”, by lawyer Me Doudou Ndoye. The former Minister of Justice, guest on the Grand Jury show on RFM, is of the opinion that “The president has no right to do so. Until now, I have not heard or read where President Bassirou Diomaye orders the cessation of all works on the coast and in other localities. Seluo him, “it is and does not exist” than a circular from the competent minister. “A circular is an internal document, which the minister sends to his state collaborators to prohibit any collaboration with these builders in these areas. But it is not about the President of the Republic. But I reaffirm what I said, he has no right to do that.” specified Me Doudou Ndoye who calls for responsibilities to be established before any decision.
“I believe that whoever ordered everything to be broken and stopped is not in good standing. It will be necessary to carry out investigations before deciding. I am not saying, however, that those who built there are in good standing.”he argued. For Me Doudou Ndoye, who explained how land was acquired in the area, “on the coast, anyone who touches a construction commits an offense.” Because, “(…) it is on land that we received legally with a land title given by the State. And then you are given permission to legally build. Anyone who touches your construction commits an offense within the meaning of the Senegalese Penal Code. he said in Emedia.
MBOUR 4 SUBDIVISION: A PROGRAM WITH DESIRED OBJECTIVES
The Mbour 4 subdivision is reserved, according to the old regime, for the construction of 2051 Type F3 social housing units with 60 m² of living space, intended for families with low and irregular income. There are also plans for 942 Type F4 economic housing units of 80 m² of living space which will be built for the diaspora; history of strengthening ties with Senegalese established abroad, defended the former Minister of Urban Planning, Housing and Public Hygiene, Abdoulaye Saydou Sow, during a trip to the site in July 2023. In addition, 731 luxury Type F5 housing units with 163 m² of living space will be built there for the middle class, offering them a living environment that meets their aspirations.
IBRAHIMA DIALLO
