"One student, one computer": the Assembly opens an investigation into nearly 48 billion FCFA

The Senegalese Parliament wants to shed light on the management of the "One Student, One Computer" program. A proposed resolution to create a parliamentary commission of inquiry was adopted this Thursday in plenary session by 129 votes out of 129. Sponsored by the PASTEF Les Patriotes parliamentary group, the resolution aims to examine the conditions under which the program, overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, has been implemented since its launch. At the heart of the questions: nearly 48 billion CFA francs in financial commitments since 2017 , based on an estimated annual budget of approximately 6 billion CFA francs.

Eight editions under scrutiny

According to the explanatory memorandum accompanying the resolution, the program was allegedly implemented for eight consecutive years without complying with several requirements stipulated by the Public Procurement Code. The members of parliament who initiated the resolution specifically cite the absence of calls for tenders for contracts significantly exceeding the legal threshold of 50 million CFA francs. The document also highlights the lack of prior review by the Central Directorate of Public Procurement (DCMP), as well as the program's failure to be systematically included in the ministry's annual procurement plan. Another point of contention is the lack of approval of contracts by the Minister of Finance since 2017, despite this formality being mandatory for contracts reaching or exceeding 300 million CFA francs. These elements will now be examined by the members of parliament to determine whether procedural violations have indeed occurred and, if so, to establish responsibility.

Two billion in guarantees and 13 bank accounts

The resolution also raises questions about the program's financial management. Members of Parliament specifically mention a guarantee fund of approximately 2 billion CFA francs held at Ecobank, the origin and use of which, according to the document, remain insufficiently documented. Another point of concern is the existence of 13 bank accounts and sub-accounts linked to the program, whereas the official minutes reportedly only show three. Parliamentarians are thus questioning the destination of a balance of over 864.8 million CFA francs , distributed among several of these accounts. The committee will notably have to verify the financial transactions, the individuals authorized to carry out the operations, and the compliance of the management of these funds with applicable regulations.

800 defective computers stored at UCAD

The equipment acquired under the program also constitutes a significant part of the investigation. The proposal mentions 800 defective computers , purchased with public funds and stored at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD), without having been distributed to students. For the members of parliament, this situation raises questions about the effectiveness of public spending and the mechanisms for controlling the quality of the equipment delivered. The commission will notably have to determine the conditions under which these computers were acquired, their cost, the procedures for receiving them, and the responsibilities related to their storage and non-use.

The case of the 7,055 computers

The 2023 edition of the program is one of the most sensitive issues raised in the proposed resolution. According to the information presented to the members of parliament, a transfer of over 1.446 billion CFA francs was allegedly made to an intermediary company that was not the State's contracting party for the supply of 7,055 computers for the Cheikh Hamidou Kane Digital University. The resolution notes the absence of a formal contract in this case. This situation reportedly led to legal proceedings, with accusations of embezzlement and a conviction that ultimately compelled the State to pay an additional sum of approximately 1.25 billion CFA francs . For the members of parliament, this episode raises a crucial question: how could the State have been forced to pay twice for the same transaction, and who is responsible for this situation?

Eleven MPs to review nine years of management

The parliamentary inquiry committee will be composed of eleven members of parliament , appointed proportionally to the parliamentary groups. Its mission will be to trace the chain of decisions since 2017, examine the conditions under which contracts were awarded and executed, analyze the financial flows, and assess any potential damage suffered by the State. The parliamentarians will also have to identify the responsibilities of the various administrative, financial, and ministerial actors involved in managing the program. The objective will be, in particular, to determine whether the irregularities in question stem from simple administrative failings or whether they have resulted in financial losses to public finances.

48 billion FCFA under parliamentary scrutiny

With the adoption of the resolution by 129 votes in plenary session , the "One Student, One Computer" program is now the subject of a parliamentary inquiry. For nearly a decade, billions of CFA francs were allocated to provide Senegalese students with access to computer equipment. The commission's task will be to understand how these resources were used and why certain operations are now shrouded in mystery. From the awarding of contracts to the management of bank accounts, including the purchase and distribution of computers, the members of parliament want to reconstruct the entire chain. Nearly 48 billion CFA francs, eight editions of the program, and several alleged irregularities: the commission of inquiry will now have to transform questions into established facts and, where necessary, determine responsibility.