The ministers of the government of Benin met in their regular session of the council of ministers on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. During this session, held under the leadership of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Patrice Athanase Guillaume Talon, several points were discussed. Find below the full report.
I- REGULATORY MEASURES.
I-1. Creation of military medals for the Beninese Armed Forces (BAF).
These are distinctive badges intended to express the nation’s testimony and recognition to military personnel and units whose acts of valor deserve to be showcased as examples or encouraged.
There are two of these badges, namely the “Medal of National Defense” and the “Combatant’s Cross”.
The first one aims to reward military personnel and units who have particularly distinguished themselves with courage, zeal, bravery, or outstanding and decisive results during national, multinational, special operations, or commissioned humanitarian or military service. These actions may include saving the lives of comrades or civilian populations and achieving victory over the enemy.
As for the second badge, it rewards military personnel and units of the Benin Armed Forces who have shown exceptional bravery, been seriously wounded, killed, or gone missing in action, whether within the country or outside the national territory, during national, multinational, special operations, or commissioned service.
The Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic, in charge of National Defense, will ensure the immediate and strict application of these decrees.
I-2. Conditions for the opening and operation of event halls.
In recent years, there has been a proliferation of party halls in our country. This trend requires regulation of the activities in this rapidly expanding sector, as it is observed that these places of celebration, usually built with permanent materials or erected with tarps, do not comply with construction standards or noise regulations in most cases.
This decree establishes the conditions and procedures for obtaining the required authorization to open and operate such party halls. The authorization must be displayed at the entrance of the venue.
Party halls must have parking areas appropriate to their capacity and meet the hygiene and sanitation requirements prescribed by the current legal and regulatory provisions on public hygiene in the Republic of Benin.
It should be noted that, as of the publication of this text, a 12-month moratorium is granted to any professional operator of a party hall that is already in operation, allowing them time to comply with these regulations.
I-3. Creation of the National Digital Investigations Center (CNIN).
The urgent need to continue the fight against cybercrime has led to the redefinition of strategic axes implemented so far in order to consolidate the efforts of the entities involved for better results.
This determination has resulted in the use of more modern technologies, the strengthening of human resources, and the coordination of operational activities.
By deciding to create a unique structure composed of multiple skills, the Government aims to achieve greater efficiency in all investigations related to the use of new technologies.
Thus, the National Center for Digital Investigations will assume the responsibilities of the Central Office for the Repression of Cybercrime and will have broader missions that partially absorb those of the Agency for Information Systems and Digital (ASIN) regarding the fight against cybercrime.
The relevant ministers are instructed to ensure the prompt operationalization of this body.
As for other normative measures, decrees have been adopted, including:
- approval of the statutes of the National Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control;
- Creation of the Hotel Development Company of Benin and approval of its statutes;
- modalities for the transfer and reclassification of two hundred and thirty-four (234) police officers into the rank of probationary police commissioner and second-class police commissioner;
- submission to the National Assembly:
- for examination and voting, the draft law on the final settlement of the State budget for the year 2022;
- for authorization of the accession of the Republic of Benin to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
II- COMMUNICATIONS.
II-1. Execution of architectural and technical studies for the rehabilitation of buildings of the Benin Broadcasting and Television Company S.A.
Studies conducted as part of the modernization of the public audiovisual environment have recommended, among other things:
- The rehabilitation of the building known as BB24, which houses the headquarters of the national broadcasting and the transmission center.
- The demolition of buildings housing the national television and television production departments.
- The construction of a new, modern building that meets international standards, called the “House of Public Media,” to house the public media.
The planning and architectural studies are already underway, with an identified partner working on the preliminary project documents for the “House of Public Media”.
As for the rehabilitation of buildings, it fits perfectly into this plan, which is why the Council has approved the architectural studies to be carried out by a reputable firm.
The Minister of Digitalization and the Minister of Environment and Transport, responsible for Sustainable Development, will ensure the successful execution of the project.
II-2. Contractualization with technical engineering offices for the validation of execution files, monitoring, and control of construction/rehabilitation works and equipment of standard education sector infrastructures.
In order to ensure proper supervision of the work it carries out, the Agency for the Construction of Education Sector Infrastructure (ACISE) has decided to reorganize project management, monitoring, and control.
To this end, six consulting firms operating in the twelve departments have been recruited based on their technical capacity and potential in qualified human resources to oversee technical studies, surveillance, and construction work control for standard infrastructure projects (classrooms, latrine blocks, administrative blocks, laboratories, libraries, warehouses, etc.) under a multi-year partnership.
Considering the results of the consultation, the Council has authorized the contracting with the identified service providers.
II-3. Internship for 30 doctors and paramedics in cardiac surgery in foreign hospitals.
In order to reduce medical evacuations of patients from our country for cardiac conditions, and more importantly, to promote their on-site management in Benin, a specialized center for the development of skills in cardiac surgery has been established at the National University Teaching Hospital – HKM in Cotonou. Thanks to this government initiative, a group of international experts carries out periodic missions for interventions, facilitating the transfer of skills to a team of 30 medical practitioners and healthcare professionals.
These include specialists in cardiac surgery, cardiology, and anesthesia-reanimation, as well as paramedics specializing in extracorporeal circulation, anesthesia, intensive care, and cardiac surgical nursing.
With the imminent start of operations at the International Hospital Center of Calavi, it is crucial that the cardiovascular thoracic surgery department has a sufficient number of qualified human resources.
To this end, strengthening the capacity of the 30 practitioners and healthcare professionals through immersion in foreign hospitals that receive a significant flow of cardiac surgery patients has proven to be relevant.
Therefore, the Council has supported their placement in internships at public and private European hospitals and instructed the ministers responsible for the matter to ensure the smooth running of these internships.
II-4. Implementation of the rural tracks and classified dirt roads rehabilitation program, for the 2023-2024 campaign.
The work to be carried out concerns a length of 12,943.60 km of rural tracks and 2,678.552 km of unpaved roads classified in all departments except the Coastal area.
They mainly involve periodic maintenance of these tracks and roads, in order to facilitate access to production areas and enable producers from various agricultural regions to smoothly market their products.
Contracting with companies and control offices capable of ensuring proper execution of the work has been authorized.
II-5. Report on illicit practices of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) claiming to perform inspections in markets, bars, restaurants, and stores.
It has been reported to the Council that certain practices are emerging in our communities, in which individuals present themselves as members or representatives of NGOs, equipped with mission orders with the aim of conducting inspections in markets, bars, restaurants, shops, supermarkets, etc., under the pretext of working for consumer protection.
Sometimes, these ill-intentioned individuals wear uniforms that give the impression that they are part of the Republican Police, intimidating business operators and even extorting money from them.
These counterfeiters, allegedly authorized for control purposes, pass through police stations in advance to have their supposed mission orders stamped. In doing so, they further convince the population of the legality of their activities.
Considering the seriousness of these behaviors, it should be emphasized that only competent government services are authorized to carry out inspections, in accordance with the responsibilities of the relevant ministries.
Therefore, the Council urges business operators and the population to remain vigilant and encourages them to report the perpetrators of these acts in order to bring them before the competent courts.
Instructions have been given to the relevant ministers for better supervision of control missions and for the apprehended individuals to be held accountable for their deeds.
III- INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS AND EVENTS.
The following events have been approved under this section:
- The organization of a national awareness campaign in Benin during the months of November and December 2023, as part of the Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls.
- Benin’s participation in the donor conference for the financing of projects under the Strategy for the Development of Energy Hubs (SDPE) and the Regional Program for the Development of the Digital Economy (PRDN), from November 27th to 29th, 2023 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
IV- INDIVIDUAL MEASURES.
The following nominations have been announced:
AT THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE, RESPONSIBLE FOR COOPERATION
Director General of Customs, cumulatively with her current functions: Ms. Adidjath HASSAN ZANOUVI
Deputy Director General of Customs: Mr. Aimé Yvan KAREGIRE
AT THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND LEGISLATION
After consulting the Higher Council of the Judiciary.
A la Chancellerie
Collaborator at the Cabinet of the Minister of Justice: Mr. Sèyivi Justin GBENAMETO
Collaborators at the General Inspection of Judicial Services, gentlemen:
Armand GOUNON
Abd Galeb Mohamed Adéléké CHABI MAMA
Alain Martial Georges BOKO, acting as Permanent Secretary
Collaborator at the Directorate of Legal and Judicial Protection of Children: Mr. Herbert SOLEVO
Collaborators at the Directorate of Criminal Affairs and Pardons, gentlemen:
Kokou Agbezoungue Bernardin HOUNYOVI
Lié Norbert DADJO
In jurisdictions
Court of Appeal of Cotonou
President: Mr. Agboton Alexis METAHOU
Advisor: Mr. Ayinla Muhamed Akim ABDOULATIF
First Deputy General: Mr. Léon Pape Parfait Médéton YEHOUENOU
Court of First Instance of Cotonou
2nd Deputy Prosecutor: Mr. Ahouzounvé Alphonse AMOUSSOU
3rd Deputy Prosecutor, in charge of the juvenile division: Mr. Yadélin Justin SEGLE
First-class First Instance Court of Porto-Novo
3rd Deputy Prosecutor, in charge of the youth division: Mr. Enagnon Sikirou RAFIOU
Court of Second Class First Instance of Abomey-Calavi
Judge of the 1st Investigation Chamber: Mr. Armick Mêtounsè Charmant Rovinis OUIDODJICHE
Judge of the 2nd Investigation Chamber: Mr. Zinsou Chivane AFAVI
Tribunal de première instance de deuxième classe de Ouidah
Juge du 2ème cabinet d’instruction : Monsieur Sèdjro Eudes SOSSOUHOUNTO
Second Class Magistrate Court of Pobè
Judge of the 1st investigating chamber: Mrs. Akuwa Gisèle SOGLOHOUN
Judge of the juvenile court: Mrs. Mignonhin Constantine SODINYESSI
Abomey Court of Appeal
Assistant: Mister Asseh Maximilien KPEHOUNOU
Abomey Second Class First Instance Court
Judge of the 1st Instruction Office: Mr. Firmin AMOUSSOU
Second Class Trial Court of Aplahoué
Judge of the 1st Instruction Department: Mr. Aldo Charlel GNACADJA
Judge of the Juvenile Division: Mr. Hodogbé Paulin AHOUAGOGBO
Second-class Court of First Instance of Savalou
Judge of the 2nd Investigative Chamber: Mr. Crespin Anselme NOUAKPO
Lokossa Second Class Court of First Instance
2nd Substitute in charge of the minors department: Mr. Nicoli Giovani Judicaël ASSOGBA
Second Class First Instance Court of Comè
President: Mr. Ehounsa Fortunato KADJEGBIN
Court of Appeal of Parakou
President: Mr. Florentin GBODOU
Parakou First-Class First Instance Court
Juvenile Judge: Mr. Sènan Lionel KADJA KOWENON
Natitingou Second Class First Instance Court
1st Substitute Prosecutor: Mr. Michel Gbénakou AGBODJOGBE
Kandi Second Class First Instance Court
Judge of the 1st investigating chamber: Mr. Moboladji Mouazim CHITOU
Judge of the minors division: Mr. Sèmiou ASSIRI
Tribunal of Second Class of Djougou
Judge of the 1st investigative chamber: Mr. Enagnon Elie SOUMAHO
Judge of the juvenile court division: Mr. Houénagnon Bamikolé MONTCHO
Malanville Second Class Trial Court
Judge of the Juvenile Court: Mr. Laurent Samuel Justin BABO
