The weekly council meeting of the Benin government convened on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, under the Presidency of Patrice Talon. Many topics were discussed during this session. Below is the complete report of decisions taken.
The following decisions have been made:
I- REGULATORY MEASURES.
1-1. Transmission to the National Assembly, for examination and voting, of the bill modifying and supplementing law no. 2022-16 of October 19, 2022, establishing, organizing, and operating the Special Court for Land Affairs.
This amending bill suggests redefining the jurisdiction of the Special Court for Land Affairs, to now allow it to hear cases concerning both claims for or confirmation of property rights and actions relating to expropriation for public utility.
As a result, disputes over administrative acts relating to land and state property remain within the jurisdiction of the administrative tribunal.
The text also addresses the redefinition of the territorial competencies of the Special Court for Land Affairs. These extend over the municipalities of Abomey-Calavi, Allada, Cotonou, Ouidah, Porto-Novo, Sèmè-Podji, and Tori-Bossito. Similarly, the Court will now hear disputes relating to land extending over a municipality bordering those mentioned above, the 2022 law having not specified the competent jurisdiction in this case.
In addition, the bill includes an organizational reform of the case preparation process aimed at modernizing, improving, and speeding up the management of legal cases for better public service efficiency, greater transparency, and smoother relations with users.
Thus, the organization of a preparatory conference will rationalize the procedure with more predictability to reduce delays in the judicial investigation. This assumes that the parties agree in advance on the stages, deadlines, and procedural rules for resolving their case. The aim is to plan the process while ensuring that all parties take responsibility.
Finally, the integration of digital technology will promote the use of technologies such as electronic file management, remote hearings, electronic communication, and case management tools, all of which aim to streamline and automate judicial processes.
The desired objective is to ensure the effectiveness of judicial services, cost reduction, and to facilitate free and constant access of the parties to information and documents in real-time.
In total, this innovation will induce:
- better monitoring by the parties to the lawsuit, of their cases and ongoing settlement;
- more transparency on the course of the procedure;
- strengthening trust in the judicial settlement of cases, the parties understanding and actively participating in the process.
The Minister of Justice and Legislation will ensure the successful completion of the legislative procedure concerning this reform.
I-2. Formation of the Building Maintenance and Upkeep Company (BMUC) and approval of its statutes.
Since 2016, the execution of the Government’s Action Program has allowed our country to acquire a significant and high-quality real estate heritage, covering numerous sectors (residential buildings, administrative buildings, hotel facilities, leisure facilities, etc.).
This remarkable development in real estate requires an adequate and optimal maintenance, carried out by professionals in the field, to guarantee the durability of the infrastructures built.
To this end, the State has partnered with public or semi-public organizations to create the SEMI, whose services will cover the entire national territory.
In doing so, an appropriate framework will be established to ensure a technical service offering and the maintenance of built heritage, with the aim of creating an ecosystem and a value chain integrating SMEs-SMIs around these specific trades in a ‘doing approach.
This includes waterproofing work, maintenance of roads, maintenance of electrical, plumbing, air conditioning installations, maintenance of green spaces, cleaning services, safety and security, or also maintenance of systems and technical installations related to physical infrastructures (CCTV, elevators, etc.).
By adopting the Company’s Articles, the Board instructed the competent ministers to carry out the necessary diligences for the actual commencement of its activities.
On other normative measures, there were adopted the application texts of Law No. 2013-01 of August 14, 2013, relating to land and domain codes in the Republic of Benin, as amended and supplemented by Law No. 2017-15 of August 10, 2017, as well as decrees relating to:
procedures for the application of Law No. 2022-28 of December 07, 2022, relating to the regime for care and protection of victims on official duty or their dependents;
creation, attributions, organization and functioning of the institutional framework for coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (SNIF) in the Republic of Benin ;
creation of the Calavi International Hospital Center and approval of its statutes ;
modification of Decree No. 2023-409 of July 26, 2023, on attributions, organization and functioning of the Health Sector Regulatory Authority (ARS) ;
modification of Decree No. 2021-520 of October 13, 2021, on the attributions, organization and operation of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic.
II- Communications.
II-1. Execution of full project management tasks in the context of rehabilitation projects for agricultural technical high schools, professional technical high schools, and for the construction of Akassato’s Technical High School of Tourism, Hotel and Catering, as well as the Girls’ High School of Abomey.
After the allocation of the first wave of projects to firms for the partial project management of 21 new agricultural technical high schools, 6 trade schools, 6 science high schools, and 2 normal superior schools, this current batch of establishments allows to account for the rest of the identified sites.
These are those of 9 former agricultural technical high schools, 15 former professional technical high schools, and those intended for the construction of the Technical High School for Tourism, Hospitality, and Catering in Akassato as well as the High School for Young Girls in Abomey.
The selected firms will have the responsibility to oversee all the services of complete project management, particularly the site inspection, investigations on the existing infrastructures at the level of the old high schools, the development, architectural programming, and production of the sketch-type of each high school and school, and the completion of preliminary project analysis and detailed pre-project analysis.
Other types of services leading to the preparation of the tender files are also expected from the said firms. They should subsequently assist the contracting authority, in particular in the awarding of contracts, supervision, and monitoring of works.
The concerned ministers will ensure the necessary steps leading to the effective start of construction projects are carried out.
II-2. Rehabilitation of Buildings and Acquisition of Equipment for the Benefit of Interventional Cardiology and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Units of the National Hospital and University Center Hubert Koutoukou MAGA in Cotonou.
The rehabilitation work focuses on premises where modern equipment will be installed as part of the establishment of the center of excellence for interventional cardiology and cardiovascular rehabilitation in this hospital for better patient care.
These include interventional cardiology equipment, cardiovascular rehabilitation equipment, furniture for the units that accommodate these specialties, computer equipment, and the installation of a computer network in the said units.
III- INDIVIDUAL MEASURES
The following appointments have been announced:
At the Presidency of the Republic
Judicial Agent of the Treasury
Mr. Gilbert Ulrich TOGBONON
Collaborators at the Judicial Agency of the Treasury
Gentlemen
- Romuald GBENOU
- Mahugnon Fréjus Lucas AKPOTROSSOU
■ At the Ministry of Justice and Legislation
After the opinion of the Supreme Judicial Council
At the Chancellor’s Office
Chief of Staff
Mr. Moussa ADAMOU
- Directorate of Judicial Services and Professions
Collaborator
Ms. Folakè Grâce Lyliane ODJO
- Directorate of Legislation and Codification
Collaborators
Gentlemen
– Ulrich Sèdjro Miguel DEGUENON
– Gani Romuald IROTORI
– Ebony Viako DASSI
In the jurisdictions
- Court of Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism
Chamber of Liberties and Detention
Mr. Elias Mahoulé Syné GUIDI
4th Deputy Special Prosecutor
Ms. Eyitayo Karamatou SANNY
- Commercial Court of Cotonou
Judges
Gentlemen
- Sèwèna Rodrigue GBAGUIDI
- Goumbabe Appolinaire G. HOUNKANNOU
- Commercial Court of Cotonou
Judges at the court
Madam and sir
- Ken’tché Edith OROUNLA
- Tédé Pacôme FALANA
- Court of Appeal of Cotonou
- First Instance Court of 1st Class of Cotonou
Judge of the 4th Investigation Department
Mr. Ozias Sèwanou KINTOYESSE
Judge of the 5th Investigation Department
Mr. Christophe Ekanyé HOUEDETE
Judges at the court
Gentlemen
- Enagnon Marion Leriche ATINMAKAN
- Delphin YATOPA
- Pamphile AWO-GBOSSA
- Guigonou Thierry A. MEDEGNONWA DJIDONOU
- Arcadius Thierry Houéfa Kossi-Latè ADJAHOUHOUE
Judge of the Juvenile Division
Madam Wassilatou BOUKARI
4th Deputy Prosecutor of the Republic
Mr. Yélognon Jacob AHIFFON
- First Instance Court of 1st Class of Porto-Novo
Judges at the court
Gentlemen
- Sagbo Alexis GOUWAKINNOU
- Cossi Hermann OGOUGBE
- Jean-Marie DADO TOSSOU
- Xavier ADANDEDJAN
Judge of the Juvenile Division
Mr. Clément DOSSOU
- First Instance Court of 2nd Class of Abomey-Calavi
Judge at the court
Madam Françoise Houéfa Kossi-Latè AVOUNGNASSOU
Judge of the 3rd Investigation Department
Mr. Zinsou Jean-Paul ANATO
Judges at the court
Gentlemen
Olakpèdjou Tchègoun Christian OGNI
Gboja Jude DJISSA
Judge of the Juvenile Division
Madam Eurelle Edjrossè PRODJINOTHO
– First Instance Court of 2nd Class in Ouidah
Judges at the court
Madame and gentlemen
– Marilyne Florine AGUESSY Mahugnon
– Ezékiel SOHOU Tométchi
– John James Yéida ATINDEHOU
– Ernest GANGAN
Juvenile law judge
Madame Faith Colombe Ayahomi Assiki AVODAGBE
– First Instance Court of 2nd Class in Pobè
2nd Instruction Chamber’s Judge
Mister Wézoumasèssèhou Boris Claver HOUNSOU
Judge at the court
Mister Pascal HOUEMABOU
– First Instance Court of 2nd Class in Allada
2nd Instruction Chamber’s Judge
Mister Nahamma Ernest KASSA
Juvenile law judge
Mister Abdou Safiou BOURDJA
Judges at the court
Madame and gentlemen
– Gisèle GBAGUIDI
– Souahibou MAGAZI
– Fataou KOUTCHELE ASSOUMA
· Court of Appeal of Abomey
– First Instance Court of 2nd Class in Aplahoué
2nd Instruction Chamber’s Judge
Madame Hikmath Atchakè Olaïtan ALI
Juvenile law judge
Mister Ahamadou AMADOU
Judges at the court
Madame and gentleman
– Afi Anne-Rachel Mawussé GBEHA TOHOUENOU
– Fiacre Alexis Onésime Akotchayé KOLA
– First Instance Court of 2nd Class in Abomey
Judge at the court
Mister Joël ADAM
Juvenile law judge
Madame Sèna Edwige ATACHI
Judges at the court
Gentlemen
– Johannès Sèdjro WOLLO
– Noudjinhoué Sèdjro Paul VISSOH AHISSIN
– Satognon Célestin HOUEDO
– First Instance Court of 2nd Class in Savalou
Judges at the court
Gentlemen
– Modeste AÏKPE
– Assogba Yélian Fabrice YEHOSSOU
Juvenile law judge
Mister Dégbégnon Romain ASSOGBA
– First Instance Court of 2nd Class in Dassa-Zoumè
2nd Instruction Chamber’s Judge
Mister Isdeen Bolalé Adissa ODJOUGBELE
Judge at the court
Mister Sèdjolo Hugues TOSSOU
Juvenile law judge
Madame Cica Clémence ASSOGBAGA
– First Instance Court of 2nd Class in Lokossa
Judges at the court
Gentlemen
– Hervé ADOUKONOU
– Eric Shéyi DEGUENON
Juvenile law judge
Madame Maëlle Ophélia Ariane da TRINIDADE
– First Instance Court of 2nd Class in Comè
2nd Instruction Chamber’s Judge
Mister Arnaud Euloge SEWANOU
Judge at the court
Mister Vincent ZOBLATIN
· Court of Appeal of Parakou
– First Instance Court of 1st Class in Parakou
Judges at the court
Gentlemen
– Constant AHOLOU
– Mohamed BONI ABDOU
– Mahouto Jean de Dieu DJOSSOU
- First instance court of 2nd class in Natitingou
Judge at the court
Gentlemen
- Bertin KADAÏ
- Koffi Théodore ZANKOU
Judge of the Juvenile Division
Madame Rollande Melvina Bidossessi BINAZON
2nd Substitute Prosecutor
Monsieur Sèmako Hervé HOUNSOU
– Second Class Court of Kandi
Judge of the 2nd Investigative Department
Monsieur Paulin Armand Akonassou ALLOTIN
Judge of the Juvenile Division
Monsieur Norbert SAHGUI
Judges at the Court
– Edgard Marcolino Codjo COFFI
– Minakpon Roger KPOHOUN
Substitute Prosecutor, in charge of the Juvenile Division
Monsieur Yannick Fréjus HOUENON
– Second Class Court of Djougou
Judge of the 2nd Investigative Department
Monsieur Adam Damase HOUNMENOU
Judges at the Court
– Juste Ulrich ADOUWEKONOU
– Tchéwanou Gédéon GBOBADA
– Second Class Court of Malanville
Judge of the 1st Investigative Department
Monsieur Abdel-Aziz ZAKARI
Judge of the 2nd Investigative Department
Monsieur Kouyè M’bo Fantouré Ismaël TCHENTI
Judges at the Court
Madame and Monsieur
– Samsone Marthe Dossi LOKONON
– Severin ZONDOTE
Deputy Prosecutor, in charge of the Juvenile Division
Mr. Lionel DJESSOUHO
■ Ministry of the Interior and Public Security
Director of Technical Security Cooperation
Mr. Babatoudji Edouard KONFO
Departmental Director of the Interior and Public Security, Atlantic/Littoral
Mr. Monyibi Mesmin HOUNDAKO
■ Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
Director-General of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou
Mr. Bart Van EENOO
Permanent Secretary of the Beninese Commission for Sustainable Development
Mr. Bamikolé Jacques KOUAZONDE
■ Ministry of Energy, Water, and Mines
General Director of the Beninese Electricity Company (SBEE)
Mr. André-Marie KACZMAREK
■ Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Job Promotion
Chief of Staff
Mr. Koladé Ayédero OKOUDJOU.
Done in Cotonou, December 20, 2023,
The Secretary General of the Government,
Edouard OUIN-OURO.
