La Cité Lamy, a dynamic district of Thiès, was crowned first in the prestigious national challenge “Setal suñu gox”, a competition which aims to encourage cleanliness and sanitation throughout the country. This victory was celebrated during a solemn ceremony on Friday January 3, 2025 at Cité Lamy, in the presence of the Minister of Urban Planning, Territorial Communities and Regional Planning, Bala Moussa Fofana.
The challenge saw Cité Lamy prevail over other neighborhoods and localities committed to improving their environment. The second prize was awarded to the Diokoul Ndiourène district, located in the commune of Rufisque, while the village of Taïba Niassène, in the commune of Nioro du Rip (Kaolack), won third place, as revealed by the minister Bala Moussa Fofana.
In his speech, the minister explained that his department had set up a monitoring committee composed of committed administrative agents who made the final decision after a deliberation the previous Monday. “This day is an opportunity to promote a clean Senegal, by mobilizing all the vital forces of the nation to take charge and improve our living environment,” underlined Mr. Fofana.
The “Setal suñu gox” challenge was launched by the Ministry of Urban Planning to reward the cleanest neighborhoods and encourage the best environmental initiatives, in collaboration with employers. It highlights community commitment for a healthy and orderly living environment.
Lamy City particularly shone thanks to an initiative launched by a young resident, who transformed a street of 18 houses, named “Rue Fucus” because of the plants that line it. In addition to the exemplary cleanliness of the street, all the houses were painted a uniform color, which gave the entire neighborhood a unified and attractive appearance. This initiative inspired other residents of Cité Lamy, creating a ripple effect throughout the neighborhood.
The awards ceremony took place as a prelude to the seventh edition of the National Citizen Mobilization Day, launched by the President of the Republic Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The minister clarified that the aim of this challenge was not to grant privileges to a specific locality, but to stimulate a community dynamic aimed at strengthening the cleanliness of public spaces and encouraging strong involvement of local actors in management. of their environment.
The initiative gained momentum thanks to a hashtag launched by the ministry’s services, which quickly went viral on social networks. The online platform dedicated to the challenge allowed hundreds of participants to register, ranging from Dakar to Kédougou, and from Saint-Louis to Sédhiou. Similar initiatives have also emerged in various regions of the country, with neighborhoods, villages and local community organizations taking part in this mobilization.
Bala Moussa Fofana expressed his gratitude to the many leaders of innovative initiatives who have invested in the cleanliness of their neighborhoods, towns and public spaces. “These efforts are essential to forge a positive image of our localities and are perfectly in line with the objectives of the systemic transformation agenda,” he added.
Moctar FICUU / VivAfrik
