Senegal's Minister of Energy and Petroleum, El Hadj Abdourahmane Diouf, has outlined plans to reduce the country's dependence on liquid fuels and increase its electricity supply. Speaking to journalists in Dakar, Diouf emphasized the government's commitment to harnessing national resources to lower electricity costs. The minister's statements were reported by various Senegalese newspapers, including Le Soleil.
Diouf revealed that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has instructed the Inspection générale d'Etat (IGE) to investigate the circumstances surrounding Kosmos Energy's withdrawal from the Yaakaar-Teranga gas block. The withdrawal allegedly resulted in a loss of 30 billion francs CFA for the Senegalese state. According to Walfquotidien, Diouf was questioned by the IGE and provided documents related to the matter.
The Minister of Energy aims to clarify the situation regarding oil and gas blocks in Senegal. Vox Populi reported that Diouf assured the public that all processes are being handled meticulously and with the required rigor. Enquête noted that Diouf discussed various topics, including the challenges facing the national electricity company, Senelec, and the prospects for reducing tariffs.
Diouf also addressed the disagreement with British Petroleum regarding access to liquefied natural gas and the search for new partners for the Yaakaar-Teranga gas block project. According to Enquête, the minister discussed the need for a program to electrify rural areas, which would require approximately 400 billion francs CFA in funding.
The Senegalese National Assembly voted on a proposed organic law aimed at strengthening parliamentary control over special credits and funds. Sud Quotidien reported that the law was passed without amendments proposed by the Minister of Justice. The government had previously expressed concerns about the bill, which aims to increase transparency in the use of public funds.
The vote has been seen as a setback for the government, with Yoor-Yoor describing it as a "revers" on a sensitive issue. Vox Populi reported that the government plans to appeal to the Constitutional Council once the law is received. Source A noted that while the government supports the objective of the law, it has raised concerns about its content.
The government's reaction to the law remains to be seen. According to Source A, the government believes that integrating special credits into the budget should be aligned with existing provisions related to credits for institutional missions. The implementation of the new law will likely have significant implications for Senegal's financial management and parliamentary oversight.
Key points
- The Senegalese government aims to reduce its dependence on liquid fuels and increase electricity supply.
- The Minister of Energy has been questioned by the IGE regarding the withdrawal of Kosmos Energy from the Yaakaar-Teranga gas block.
- The National Assembly has passed a law aimed at strengthening parliamentary control over special credits and funds.
