Execution of the 2023 annual work plan of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries (MEMC) showed an average physical execution rate of 53.2% and an average financial execution rate of 93.62% at 30 September 2023, despite security constraints.
These are the conclusions of the 2nd ordinary session of the Ministerial Sector Management Board (Conseil d’Administration du Secteur ministériel – CASEM) 2023 of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries, held on 08 December 2023 in Ouagadougou under the theme: “Electricity and hydrocarbon supply in areas facing major security challenges: assessment and prospects”.
Improving the impact of the mining sector on the rest of the economy
This second ordinary session was chaired by Simon Pierre Boussim, Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries. He listed the various achievements of his institution in the mining sector, including improving the impact of the mining sector on the rest of the economy. The reforms undertaken have also produced results in the mining sector in 2023, including the creation of the National Precious Substances Company (Société Nationale des Substances Précieuses – SONASP), the laying of the foundation stone for the national gold refinery, etc.
He noted the efforts made to secure mining sites, which have enabled certain mining companies, including SOMITA and Neeré Mining, which were initially suspended for security reasons, to resume their activities. Despite these achievements, challenges remain in a context of insecurity. “These challenges require us to make sacrifices. I am satisfied with the annual review of activities carried out in 2023, and I hope for even better results in 2024,” said the Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries.
Despite the country’s difficult security situation, the Minister proved resilient and was able to hold a number of major mining-related activities, including the 5th edition of the West African Mining Week (SAMAO), the pre-Samao workshop and the 2nd edition of the Artisan Miners’ Days.
Simon-Pierre Boussim expressed his satisfaction with the implementation of the planned actions and the achievement of the objectives set out in the programme of activities adopted at the first CASEM of 2023. Despite budget restrictions, he praised the spirit of patriotism shown by the players in the mining sector. At the same time, he urged them to redouble their efforts to meet the demands of the times and the challenges facing the mining sector, which remain immense.
Convincing results in the energy sector despite the security situation
The Ministry’s resilience has enabled it to achieve significant results in the energy sector, including guaranteeing access to modern, quality energy services and promoting energy efficiency. Other achievements include the electrification of 113 new rural localities, increasing the number of electrified localities from 1,168 in 2022 to 1,281 in September 2023, the construction of 1,195.6 km of new power lines, and the connection of 148347 new households to electricity in the second half of 2023, the distribution of 150 school kits to internally displaced people, the installation of 8,409 public solar street lamps to improve public safety, including 1,409 for internally displaced people, and the commissioning of 03 solar power plants with a combined capacity of 90 MWp by the end of the year. This capacity will rise to 134 MWp with the commissioning of the 42 MWp Ouaga Nord-Ouest solar power plant at Gonsin in the rural commune of Sourgoubila. Other achievements include the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Ghana for the construction of nuclear power plants and the construction of a multi-product oil pipeline.
The achievements are consistent with those of the Stability and Development Action Plan (SDAP), particularly in pillars 1, 2 and 3, and contribute to achieving the objectives of the SDAP.
This CASEM session was also an opportunity for the ministry’s various departments to reflect on projects in the pipeline, such as the draft report on the implementation of the 2023 annual work plan, the state of implementation of the recommendations of the last CASEM, the draft 2024 annual work plan and the draft introductory report.
In terms of the outlook, the Ministry intends to continue its efforts to electrify the country, build productive capacity, adopt resilience measures to continue to make hydrocarbons accessible, promote energy saving, while continuing to monitor energy activities and infrastructures.
The CASEM made a number of recommendations, including the drafting and adoption of a law on hydrocarbons, stepping up the fight against hydrocarbon smuggling in areas facing major security challenges, drafting a quarterly report on the follow-up to the recommendations/resolutions, and setting up a mechanism for monitoring and implementing the activities of the structures per trimester.
What is a CASEM?
As a reminder, the CASEM is a consultation framework par excellence for assessing the performance of ministerial departments and setting important guidelines for them. It is a body established by decree 2005-483/ PRES/PM/MFPRE of 27/09/2005 on the creation, composition and operation of administrative, management and evaluation bodies within ministerial departments.
It is also a forum for government departments to reflect on the issues and pool their initiatives in the sector, with a view to making an effective contribution to achieving the objectives.
It meets statutorily twice a year, once to adopt the activity report for year N-1 and once to discuss the sector’s programme of activities for year N.
Moniratou Bandé
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