“More than 1,000 villages in Diourbel are still without electricity”

During his speech, Jean Michel Sène recalled that the electrification project, financed to the tune of 1.429 billion FCFA, aims to provide 90 villages in the country with electricity. However, he insisted on the extent of the work remaining to be accomplished, particularly in the Diourbel region. “The authorities of this country have assigned us to achieve universal access in 2029. More than 600 villages are, as we speak, in the process of being electrified,” he explained.

The Diourbel region, which has 2,168 villages, has a relatively low electrification rate. “Only 790 villages are electrified, which makes a rate of 35% of villages electrified,” said Jean Michel Sène. In other words, more than 1,000 villages still remain without access to electrical energy.

The Director General of ASER stressed the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders to achieve the set objectives. “We are working on other projects in the region with Senelec and other structures,” he indicated. A meeting with Senelec is also planned for next week to optimize project management and define a more effective strategy.

Jean Michel Sène highlighted the fundamental impact of electricity on economic and social development. “Without electricity, we cannot talk about development. It is essential for education, health and industrialization,” he insisted. “We understand the urgency of working so that these Senegalese have access to electricity, because we know that a country cannot aspire to successful industrialization without accessible and affordable energy.”

With the presidential mandate to achieve universal access to electricity by 2029, ASER and its partners still have work to do. “We will, in collaboration with Senelec and the supervisory ministry, work head-on to achieve the set objectives,” concluded Jean Michel Sène.

Birame Khary Ndaw