Tambacounda, Senegal – Municipal viability isn’t just a concept; itS a battle. That’s the message from Moussa Bala Fofana, senegal’s Minister of Town Planning, Territorial Collectivities and Territorial Planning, during the 7th day of consultations with territorial executives of the South East Pole in Tambacounda. Fofana emphasized the need for a concerted effort to ensure municipalities are well-equipped, responsive to citizens, and have fairly distributed resources.

The minister stated, Municipal viability is not a concept, it’s a fight. He elaborated that this fight encompasses better equipped mayors, listened to citizens, fairly shared resources. This statement underscores the multi-faceted approach needed for successful municipal growth.

The Imperative of Structured Organization

Fofana stressed that the structured organization of local authorities is no longer an option, but a vital and immediate necessity. This urgency drives his commitment to achieving tangible results in strengthening local governance.

The consultations revolved around the theme: scientific foundation of municipal viability. Fofana explained that approaching municipal viability from a scientific and technical outlook is crucial because,traditionally,discussions have been narrowly focused on resources and means. He argues that viability hinges on achieving a balance between economic, environmental, and social dimensions.

According to Fofana, if the question of the viability of the communes is posed in an approach based on the scientific and technical dimension, it is because, for a long time, we always wanted, as soon as we speak of viability, to circumscribe the question on resources, means, while it is based firstly on its capacity to have this balance between the economy, the environmental and social dimension.

He further asserted that a town lacking this balance will inevitably face challenges, as its issues are intricately linked to environmental, economic, and social factors.

Key Factors for Municipal Viability

• Climate Resilience: Municipalities must be able to withstand climatic risks and challenges.
• Resource generation: the capacity to generate their own resources and achieve a degree of autonomy is vital.
• Sufficient Households and Businesses: A viable municipal perimeter should include enough households and businesses to support resource collection and service provision.
• Budgetary Capacity: Municipalities need adequate budgetary capacity to address challenges effectively.

A Multidimensional Approach

While integral communalization has expanded municipal responsibilities, Fofana believes that it hasn’t fully explored the scientific foundations necessary for complete viability. He advocates for mobilizing insights from disciplines like economics, sociology, ecology, and governance to equip municipalities with tools tailored to their specific realities.

To guarantee municipal viability,Fofana emphasized the need to adopt a multidimensional approach,based on key institutional factors:

• Evaluating Local Governance: Assessing the relevance of local governance and proposing innovative solutions.
• Clear Organizations and Training: Implementing clear organizational structures and providing training for elected officials.
• Citizen Control Mechanisms: Establishing mechanisms for citizen oversight and accountability.
• Financial Autonomy: Strengthening financial autonomy through tax reform and improved local tax recovery.
• Demographic and Social Considerations: Analyzing demographic issues and ensuring equitable access to basic social services like education, health, and water.

Tambacounda: A Strategic choice

The selection of Tambacounda as the venue for the 7th consultation is strategic, according to Fofana.He sees the South-East Pole as a region brimming with potential and a multifaceted engine for development. Its unique assets make it an ideal laboratory for experimenting with innovative scientific approaches to municipal viability.

The Ministry of Town Planning, Territorial Collectivities and Territorial Planning (MUCTAT) hopes that the resolutions that will leave this consultation will breathe into the municipalities of this area a new audacity, encouraging them to get rid of conventional practices, to innovate with creativity in their planning strategies, and to fully exploit their unique potential to satisfy the legitimate aspirations of their populations.

commitment to Local Elected Officials

The consultation, attended by presidents of departmental councils, mayors, elected officials, village chiefs, civil society representatives, district delegates, and technical and financial partners, aims to promote participatory and inclusive governance. Fofana reassured local elected officials that the government’s intention is not to diminish resources allocated to municipalities.

He stated, I take this opportunity to reassure all elected officials, mayors like the presidents of the departmental council, the objective, the intention and the wish of the President of the Republic is not to reduce what we have given to the municipalities. He clarified that Act 4 of decentralization and the establishment of territorial poles are intended to provide more support, but it is not a question of giving more to give more but of giving better.