In a press release dated November 7, the Association for the Promotion of Grassroots Development (ASPRODEB) reacted to the publication of an article incriminating its president, Babacar Diop. The article in question, entitled “Agricultural campaign: 1 billion embezzled, the DIC arrests Babacar Diop following a complaint from the DER”, led ASPRODEB to provide details in order to correct certain inaccurate elements.
According to the press release, “Mr. Babacar Diop, president of the Association for the Promotion of Grassroots Development (ASPRODEB), was indeed interviewed by the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC). However, at the end of the investigation preliminary, he was released, and no embezzlement of public funds was held against him.”
In the same vein, the press release continues: “The investigation made it possible to demonstrate that the tonnage of peanut fertilizer financed by the DER was well received by peanut producers in the regions of Fatick, Kaolack, Kaffrine, Diourbel, Koungheul and Nioro.”
On this basis, the DER effectively regulated the Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP), supplier of the fertilizer. Proof was also provided that the DER did not transfer any CFA francs to ASPRODEB accounts.”
“Thus, the funds allocated by the General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship (DER) were used in accordance with their initial destination, namely the purchase of fertilizers intended for agricultural producers. The fertilizers were delivered to producers on time outsourced and according to the procedures in force,” specifies the press release.
Finally, ASPRODEB, through this note, wished to recall that it has provided all the necessary evidence to attest to its integrity and professionalism. Since its creation in 2000, ASPRODEB has always collaborated with the State of Senegal and peasant organizations in strict compliance with the principles of transparency and good governance.
