Burkina Faso: The Faso Mêbô presidential initiative to reduce road asphalting costs
On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Minister of Infrastructures Adama Luc Sorgho was summoned to the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) to address questions regarding the government’s policy on road and rail infrastructures damaged by recent heavy rains. During this exchange, he highlighted the high costs associated with road construction in Burkina Faso, citing alarming figures that weigh heavily on public finances.
“The costs of road paving in our country are exorbitant. We are at around 500 million CFA francs for 1 km of asphalt in rural areas and 750 million in urban areas,” Minister Sorgho specified. This observation sheds light on the financial challenges Burkina Faso faces in modernizing its infrastructure.
However, the minister also reassured lawmakers and the public by presenting the presidential initiative Faso Mêbô, a program aimed at reducing these costs while increasing the efficiency of infrastructure projects. According to him, this initiative would allow for the acquisition of equipment and the mobilization of specialized brigades for road construction and maintenance. The goal is to handle part of the work using local resources, which should significantly lower implementation costs.
“With Faso Mêbô, not only will we acquire equipment to intervene directly, but we will also be able to maintain our roads independently. This does not completely replace the old method, but it will help reduce expenses,” he explained. Two brigades are already operational, and the minister plans to create more in the regions to ensure national coverage.
In addition to state intervention, the initiative also envisions citizen participation. Sorgho expressed his belief that involving local populations in construction work will contribute to the effectiveness and sustainability of road projects.
This innovative approach by the Burkinabe government marks a positive turning point in infrastructure management. It not only allows for substantial savings but also promotes collective ownership of development projects, thereby strengthening national solidarity.
