Officials from Pastef in the commune of Notto-Diobass have strongly criticized the land management by the municipal team led by Mayor Alioune Sarr, which they describe as "calamitous" after 17 years of governance.

During a press conference devoted exclusively to the land issue, they denounced a "total lack of transparency" in the management of a resource that is nevertheless strategic for local development.

According to Abdoulaye Diouf, deputy coordinator and spokesperson for the day, the mayor distinguished himself by "an abandonment of almost two years", plunging the population into great difficulties in obtaining deliberation acts.

Abdoulaye Diouf also points to practices deemed troubling, mentioning the allocation of land deeds to privileged individuals, particularly on land acquired from vulnerable farmers.

He also denounces a campaign to issue occupancy permits "without prior deliberation or inventory of the premises" as well as subdivision operations carried out without consultation with the populations.

The Sanghé Smart City project at the heart of criticism

The Sanghé Smart City project, covering 332 hectares, is cited as a symbol of unilateral governance. According to Pastef, the mobilization of the local population has helped to curb what they consider an attempt to confiscate their land.

In Mbomboye, Abdoulaye Diouf claims that irregularities had also been noted, including the disappearance of 10 hectares and the growing influence of real estate developers, in a "complicit silence" of the municipal authorities.

Lack of transparency and diminished role of the city council

Pastef also denounces the lack of transparency regarding the so-called "excess" hectares, whose allocation remains unknown. The municipal council is accused of being reduced to a purely formal role, without genuine access to information or oversight powers.

According to Mr. Diouf, there are also areas of uncertainty regarding the management of land allocated to certain projects or companies, particularly those formerly allocated to COSMELT, as well as the thousands of plots resulting from the housing developments of Thieo, Ndounoute and other localities.

Abdoulaye Diouf adds that the land distribution committees operate without transparency, without any reporting and without the involvement of municipal councilors, raising a central question: "Who really benefits from these housing developments?"

Gradual disappearance of agricultural land

Pastef warns of the gradual disappearance of the commune's land reserves and warns that agricultural and pastoral lands are increasingly being converted into housing developments, to the detriment of the traditional activities of local populations.

He regrets that no structuring project has emerged, despite the strategic position of Notto-Diobass, located between the Ila Touba highway, the port of Ndayane and the Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD).

Call to the authorities and request for an audit

Pastef also questions the transfer of over 1,000 hectares under the Community Agricultural Domain (DAC) without adequate support measures for the local population. This highlights the lack of agricultural conversion, training, or economic integration strategies.

The leaders of Pastef Notto-Diobass are finally denouncing new land allocations without consultation, notably in Baback Sérère (137 ha), in Pout Diack, in Tatène Mbambara and in Tatène Sérère where, according to them, nearly 100 ha have been ceded to customs.

Faced with this situation deemed alarming, they are calling on the administrative authorities to call the mayor to order, suspend all land transactions until the end of his term, and conduct a full audit of the municipality's land management.

"This is about preserving land heritage and the future of future generations," concluded Abdoulaye Diouf.