Sertem vs DER/FJ : une guerre à plus de 17 milliards F CFA
The construction project for the Mohamed Bin Zayed Center, the future headquarters of the DER/FJ in Mermoz, is currently at the heart of an ongoing dispute. This colossal contract, worth 17.24 billion CFA francs and awarded to the Sertem group in 2021, represents what L'Observateur describes as a "formidable financial tug-of-war."
The construction site, at a standstill for nearly 20 months, is plagued by numerous grievances. The company denounces a series of shortcomings on the part of the contracting authority, notably unpaid invoices amounting to 2.7 billion. According to documents consulted by the newspaper, Sertem also points to the "failure to release the 4 billion in state funding" and obstacles to tax exemptions. A complete breakdown in communication has occurred regarding the progress of the project: while Sertem claims to have completed "49% of the structural work," the DER/FJ justifies the termination of the contract by citing a completion level of only 16%.
Yet, despite the legal battle, the DER/FJ seems to have chosen to "skip steps." By a decree dated January 8, it unilaterally terminated the contract before re-awarding it, on March 27, to Azkhar International for 17.3 billion. This decision raises questions, since, according to sources at L'Observateur, between the initial advance payment and the invoices paid, "more than 6 billion has already been swallowed up" in the original project.
Sertem's response was swift. The group, which has declared its "determination to see this through to the end," has filed a complaint with ARCOP (the French Regulatory Authority for Online Publishing and Advertising) and the State Legal Agent (AJE). A crucial hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 2nd, at the Commercial Court. The company is contesting an "abusive unilateral termination" and is claiming over 8 billion euros, including unpaid invoices, 1 billion euros in penalties, and 4.5 billion euros for damages. For its part, DER/FJ, contacted by the Groupe Futurs Médias daily newspaper, promises to provide "its side of the story as soon as possible" regarding this explosive case.
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