Ousmane Sonko and Pastef launch parliamentary inquiry into alleged irregular state property sales

This commission will investigate the acquisition and sale of state-owned buildings to private individuals under conditions deemed irregular. The inquiry focuses on direct sales without parliamentary authorization, free transfers, and circumvention of management bodies. The deputies' proposal references a Council of Ministers meeting on May 22, 2024, where the Prime Minister committed to recovering public land and built heritage transferred to private entities.

The article highlights that the state purchased buildings without clear price evaluations and without the knowledge of Sogepa, the legally responsible management body. Additionally, properties were sold without prior National Assembly approval, through direct agreements, or gratuitously, without the required development stipulated by law. The commission, comprising eleven deputies from Pastef, Takku-Wallu, and independents, plans to question former and current Ministers of Finance, Directors General of Taxes and Domains, directors of the former Agpbe and Sogepa, officials from Cadastre, CCOd, and Urban Planning, as well as all private beneficiaries involved in these transactions.

The parliamentarians will have extensive investigative powers to examine records and contracts to quantify financial losses for the state and determine accountability.