National consultations on the water and sanitation sector began this Thursday, November 21, 2024 in Kaolack, under the aegis of the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation. These three-day meetings, bringing together institutional actors, civil society, technical and financial partners, mark a turning point in the management of these vital sectors for Senegal.
These consultations aim to co-construct a new Sector Development Policy Letter, focused on inclusive and sustainable management of water resources and sanitation infrastructure. They reflect the desire of the new Senegalese authorities to break with traditional approaches, by promoting broad and participatory dialogue.
“These consultations are not just the business of technicians or the ministry. This is a key moment to diagnose our sector, mobilize all stakeholders, and above all, move towards innovative solutions,” declared Minister Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye during the opening ceremony.
The work will be structured around four main themes: Integrated and territorialized management of water resources: better manage water at the local level while taking into account regional realities. Secure drinking water and productive water services: guarantee universal and secure access, both for domestic and economic needs. Secure sanitation services and rainwater management: improve infrastructure to limit the impacts of flooding and poor sanitary conditions. Governance, financing and partnership: define a viable financing framework and strengthen cooperation with national and international actors.
Decentralized for better inclusion, these consultations were organized in Kaolack, a choice motivated by two main reasons. “Kaolack is at the crossroads of the country and symbolizes the challenges linked to water and sanitation: water quality with a high fluoride content, recurring floods, and insufficient infrastructure,” underlined Dr. Dièye.
Among the participants are representatives of the administration, civil society, consumer associations, financial partners, as well as the Senegalese Network of Journalists Specializing in Water and Sanitation (RESJOSEA), led by Cheikhou Aidara.
These consultations are part of the presidential vision of equitable access to water and sanitation for all, in harmony with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030 and the African Water Vision. horizon 2063.
By launching this participatory exercise, Senegal reaffirms its commitment to building lasting solutions to meet the expectations of its population and anticipate future challenges in a context of climate change and increasing pressure on resources.
