Headline: Clarification: Lat-Dior Statue in Thiès Costs 44.3 million FCFA, Not 70 million
Thiès, Senegal — The city of Thiès has issued a statement to APS, clarifying the budget for the statue of Lat-Dior Ngoné Latyr Diop, stating it cost 44.3 million FCFA, not the 70 million FCFA widely-reported.
According to Thiès’ communiqué, the exact amount spent on the artwork is 44,338,500 FCFA, including all taxes (TTC), equating to 36,357,570 FCFA exclusive of VAT. The project was awarded following a recommendation by the Direction centrale des marchés publics (DCMP), which instructed the Mayor to launch the tender through an open competition for requests for information and prices (DRPCO), in line with Senegalese regulations.
The municipality regretted the circulation of inaccurate figures, potentially misleading the public, and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in project execution. The statue, created by renowned Burkinabe sculptor Siriki Ky, was inaugurated on Thursday by President Macky Sall. It stands at 2.65 meters and is crafted from bronze using traditional techniques, such as wood-fired mold cooking and forge-based bronze casting.
The artwork was celebrated for its pedagogical value in transmitting Senegalese values and virtues. Theтилtscience committee for the project was headed by Professor Ibrahima Thioub, with Professor Babacar Mbaye Diop serving as rapporteur, and included notable members such as Professor Mamadou Babacar Ndiaye, recteur of the UniversiteIba Der Thiam de Thiès (UIDT), and Ousseynou Masserigne Gueye, director of communication for the city of Thiès.
Related reading