The villa allocated to Senegal's National Assembly president has become a subject of controversy. Yaya Abdoul Kane, former general director of the State's Built Heritage and the SOGEPA, testified about several public property sales, including the residence allocated to the National Assembly president. He revealed that the AGEPBE was not involved in the sale of the villa to the SCI Ding Ding, owned by businessman Tahirou Sarr.
According to Yaya Abdoul Kane, the SCI Ding Ding requested the villa's availability and presented documents from the Ministry of Finance. He stated that he informed the National Assembly president about the situation and asked him to take necessary actions. The villa's sale has raised questions about the process and the involvement of various parties. The National Assembly president had reportedly informed the President of the Republic about the villa's sale.
The hearing also covered the sale of 52 villas in the Cité Cheikh Amar to Tahirou Sarr for 7 billion CFA francs, significantly lower than the estimated 10 billion CFA francs cost to the State. Yaya Abdoul Kane reiterated that he was not involved in the process. The sale of these villas has sparked concerns about the undervaluation of public assets.
Yaya Abdoul Kane was also questioned about granting a 99-year emphyteutic lease to Serigne Bassirou Guèye for two villas in Point E, with an annual rent of 100,000 CFA francs. He claimed to have discovered the existence of these villas, which were not previously part of the State's built heritage. He received instructions from the authority, identified as the President of the Republic, to grant the lease.
The hearing highlighted a lack of transparency and coordination among State agencies in the management of public properties. Yaya Abdoul Kane's testimony revealed that the AGEPBE was often bypassed in property transactions. This has raised concerns about accountability and the potential for mismanagement of public assets.
The sale of the National Assembly president's villa and other public properties has sparked a heated debate about the management of public assets in Senegal. The opposition has called for an investigation into the matter, citing concerns about corruption and nepotism. The government has yet to respond to the allegations.
The controversy surrounding the villa's sale has raised questions about the role of key players, including the President of the Republic and the National Assembly president. An investigation is expected to shed more light on the matter and determine whether due process was followed in the sale of the villa and other public properties.
Key points
- The sale of the National Assembly president's villa to SCI Ding Ding has raised concerns about the undervaluation of public assets and the involvement of various parties in the transaction.
- Yaya Abdoul Kane's testimony revealed a lack of transparency and coordination among State agencies in the management of public properties.
- The opposition has called for an investigation into the matter, citing concerns about corruption and nepotism.
