Daouda Ngom: No Computer Land Paiement for Undelivered Goods

• Former Minister Daouda Ngom stated "No reception, no delivery, no payment!" regarding a Computer Land contract under the "Un étudiant, un ordinateur" program.
• A parliamentary commission is investigating the 48 billion CFA francs program, which began in 2017 to equip Senegalese students with computers.
• Ngom refused to visit a warehouse for verification without technical advice, and an expert advised against inspection before file regularity was confirmed.
• Abdoulaye Thiam of Campusen sent photos/videos of computers and expressed regret over the ministry's absence at a verification meeting.
• Ngom plans to appear before the commission on October 16, citing transparency, and noted six other ministers reportedly refused to appear.

A pivotal aspect of the ongoing investigation revolves around determining who was responsible for validating the presence and conformity of the computer equipment supplied by Computer Land, a question that remains central to the dispute over the Daouda Ngom Computer Land paiement.

Former Minister Daouda Ngom recently articulated a firm stance before a parliamentary commission investigating the "Un étudiant, un ordinateur" program, declaring, "No reception, no delivery, no payment!" This assertion forms the crux of his defense regarding a contentious contract with Computer Land for the supply of digital equipment. The inquiry, initiated by the Senegalese parliament, is meticulously scrutinizing public procurement processes related to the 48 billion CFA francs initiative, which has aimed to equip Senegalese students with essential computing tools since its inception in 2017.

The commission's mandate includes a thorough examination of how contracts were awarded and subsequently executed. So far, four individuals who are current or former officials from the Ministry of Higher Education have provided testimony. A pivotal aspect of the ongoing investigation revolves around determining who was responsible for validating the presence and conformity of the computer equipment supplied by Computer Land, a question that remains central to the dispute over the Daouda Ngom Computer Land paiement.

A key point of contention emerged from a meeting held on April 24, 2026, at the General Secretariat of the Government, which focused on verifying a specific batch of computers attributed to Computer Land. During his testimony, Daouda Ngom clarified that he had not consented to personally inspect the warehouse where the equipment was reportedly stored. He emphasized that such a visit would require prior consultation and approval from technical services within the ministry, adhering to established protocols.

Furthermore, Ngom recounted seeking counsel from Mame Penda Ba, the Director of Funding for Higher Education Institutions. Her professional opinion was that any inspection should be deferred until the regularity of the contractual file had been definitively established. This procedural emphasis highlights the complexities surrounding the verification of goods in large-scale public contracts in Senegal, particularly when questions of compliance and due diligence arise.

The parliamentary inquiry also brought to light communications between the ministry and Campusen, the entity responsible for student services. Abdoulaye Thiam, the Director General of Campusen, had sent Daouda Ngom photographs and videos on April 27, depicting cartons that were presented as containing the computers. However, Ngom maintained that these visual aids, along with the mere presence of boxes in a warehouse, were insufficient to constitute a formal reception of the goods, despite a favorable opinion attributed to Campusen dated November 3. Parliamentarians also referenced a correspondence from Abdoulaye Thiam, where he expressed regret over the absence of ministry representatives at the verification meeting, and another letter on June 16, 2026, where he followed up with the ministry.

Ngom further clarified a potential source of confusion, distinguishing the "Un étudiant, un ordinateur" program from a separate project related to the Youth Olympic Games (JOJ). The latter involved providing IT equipment for students designated to occupy the Olympic Village. He asserted that these two distinct initiatives were mistakenly conflated during the April 24 meeting, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing Senegal 'Un étudiant, un ordinateur' enquête and the broader issue of Sénégal marchés publics irrégularités.

In a demonstration of his commitment to transparency and institutional respect, Daouda Ngom announced his intention to appear before the commission on October 16 at 2:30 PM. This public declaration underscores the importance of accountability in public service, especially amidst investigations into significant government programs. He also noted that six other ministers, both current and former, had reportedly declined to appear before the commission, highlighting a potential disparity in cooperation with the parliamentary body.

The ongoing Daouda Ngom commission parlementaire inquiry into the Computer Land contrat public Sénégal serves as a critical examination of public procurement practices. The testimony, including Abdoulaye Thiam Campusen témoignage, and the detailed scrutiny of delivery and payment protocols, are vital for ensuring the integrity of future government expenditures and for addressing any potential irregularities in the execution of such large-scale projects.

This parliamentary inquiry into the 'Un étudiant, un ordinateur' program underscores the critical need for lawyers advising on public procurement in Senegal to ensure rigorous contractual terms for delivery, reception, and payment, and to meticulously document all stages of contract execution to mitigate risks of disputes and investigations.

Source: Original reporting via ndarinfo