Title: Rufisque Mayor Sounds Alarm on 2024 CEL/VA Allocation Disparity
RUFISQUE, Senegal — Mayor Dr. Oumar Cisse of Rufisque has expressed concern over the 2024 allocation of the Contribution Economique Locale sur la Valeur Ajoutée (CEL/VA), warning that it will lead to financial unsustainability for his city and potentially others in Senegal. Speaking at the 2025 budget vote during a council meeting held on December 21, the mayor revealed that Rufisque is now unable to fund its operations and pay its debts, with 60% of its ordinary revenues going towards salaries.
The mayor criticized the key distribution method, asserting that it favors certain cities at the expense of others like Rufisque. He emphasized that the city had managed to eliminate a cumulative deficit of 450 million FCFA by 2023 but now faces a 380 million FCFA deficit due to the recent allocation. Dr. Cisse attributed this issue to a flawed law enacted in 2019 and called for its reform.
To rectify the situation, Mayor Cisse proposed several solutions, including a new law, improved mobilization of local resources, and strengthened cooperation with tax collection agents. He also announced plans to ensure a strike-free year in 2025 by bolstering Rufisque’s revenue collection division.
In positive news, the mayor discussed potential partnerships with the Sococim cement factory, which could benefit Rufisque significantly. With a 70-30 redistribution, projects focusing on sewage and road infrastructure are expected to see improvement. The budget for 2025, voted upon during the council meeting, amounts to 4,939,821,438 FCFA, a decrease of around 2 billion FCFA or 28% compared to the 2024 budget.
Despite this challenge, Mayor Cisse commended the会 Participation of various community representatives, such as Imams, local leaders, and sporting associations, expressing optimism for Rufisque’s future. The budget vote on December 21, 2024, comes after the delayed publication of the interministerial decree on November 21, which allocated a significantly reduced CEL/VA amount to Rufisque.
