Confidential note from former Minister Birame Souleye Diop on ASER rural electrification program difficulties revealed
A confidential note dated August 26, 2024, from the Minister of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines, Birame Souleye Diop, has shed light on challenges facing a significant rural electrification program by the Senegalese Rural Electrification Agency ASER. The document, which predates any "ASER scandal" claims, focused on administrative monitoring to understand project blockages and identify solutions. The project aimed to electrify 928 localities, but work had not commenced despite a 56 million euro advance paid to the Spanish company AEE Power EPC. The contractual arrangement involved AEE Power Sénégal as a subcontractor, agent, and independent service provider, with its general director stating their services constituted about 60% of the contract's financial value. A dispute arose over the advance payment, as AEE Power Sénégal claimed its share, but AEE Power EPC Spain reportedly excluded them, citing a breach of trust and unproven accusations of forgery. The minister requested verification of these allegations. The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority ARCOP recommended continuing the contract and convened a conciliation meeting on July 15, 2024, which AEE Power EPC Spain did not attend, declining mediation. The ministerial note emphasized the urgency of determining the exact use of the 56 million euros, verifying forgery accusations, re-examining price structures, and ensuring effective participation of Senegalese companies. By late August 2024, the ministry's priority was to c
