Senegalese Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo has called for the swift lifting of construction bans affecting well-intentioned individuals, describing the move as essential to reviving a building and public works sector currently hard-hit by land disputes.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, July 1, the head of government directed the committee on land and state-owned property disputes, which operates within the Prime Minister’s office, to implement all urgent and appropriate measures to resolve the uncertainty hanging over numerous private citizens whose construction projects have been halted. According to the Cabinet communique, the Prime Minister urged the body to take the necessary steps to breathe new life into the construction sector while continuing broader efforts to clean up land management practices across the country.
The Prime Minister also stressed the need for a comprehensive land reform policy based on an integrated approach, aiming to guarantee equitable and sustainable land governance and prevent recurring disputes from disrupting development. To support this initiative, he recommended boosting the capabilities of the General Directorate for the Surveillance and Control of Land Occupation during the preparation of the 2027 budget. Furthermore, Mr. Lo called for the consistent operation of regional and departmental committees on urban planning, housing, and the living environment, which he views as vital oversight and regulatory mechanisms for the sector.
Additionally, the relevant departments were tasked with establishing a formal framework to resolve ongoing cases involving the irregular transfer of property by the National Company for the Management and Operation of State Built Heritage. The head of government reminded officials that urban land disputes remain a critical issue due to their negative impact on citizens’ daily lives, private investment, and overall economic activity, particularly within the construction industry. This push for reform follows a major directive from 2024, when then-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko ordered the suspension of several land transactions, primarily in the Dakar region, to investigate widespread structural irregularities.
TE/Sf/lb/abj/APA