The government resumed its weekly meeting after a month of holidays on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Find below the complete summary.
I- LEGISLATIVE MEASURES. Decrees were adopted under this section, including:
Approval of the statutes of the National Land Development Agency; Approval of the amended statutes of the Arts and Culture Development Agency, and appointment of its Board of Directors; Approval of the amended statutes of the National Tourist Heritage Agency; Establishment of the Kpomassè Psychiatric Assistance Center and approval of its statutes; Appointment of auditors for the Emergency Medical Aid Service and the Chamber of Trades of Benin.
II- COMMUNICATIONS. II-1. Accreditation of companies under the Investment Code. The Council approved the requests of three companies seeking the benefits of the incentive provisions of Regime B of the Investment Code for the development of their activities.
These companies are:
MASHI SARL for its project to establish and operate a palm kernel oil production unit for cosmetic use in the Sèmè-Podji industrial zone; SONIMEX FB SARL for the installation and operation of a hot rolling line for the manufacture of reinforced concrete from recycled scrap in the Sèmè-Podji industrial zone; INDUSTRIE BENINOISE DE GRANITE ET SERVICES (IBGS) SA for the opening and operation of a rock crushing quarry in the Dan district, Djidja commune. The facilities offered to these companies will lead to the creation of approximately 300 permanent jobs, strengthening the industrial fabric and adding value to the Beninese economy.
II-2. Implementation of the pilot phase of the “socio-educational classes” initiative in twenty (20) general secondary schools. The implementation of this initiative aims to develop and maintain virtues in young people that keep them away from vices. In doing so, it will contribute to achieving one of the objectives of the National Development Plan for the period 2018-2025, which aims to create a healthy, qualified, and competitive human capital.
The “socio-educational classes” are intended to be courses in family and social education that address various aspects of life, including leadership, self-esteem, and self-affirmation, sexual and reproductive health, environmental protection (eco-reflexes). These courses also integrate topics such as civic behavior, civics, patriotism, and the prevention of certain social ills such as behavioral deviations, cybercrime, etc.
In addition, subjects related to work, such as management, decision-making, time management, stress management, the promotion of ethical values, and the construction of a life plan, will be addressed.
In concrete terms, these classes will be infused into the learning situations of four subjects: French, life and earth sciences, history and geography, as well as physical education and sports.
This strategy allows the education system to maintain the current time slots and benefit from the expertise of teachers in these subjects.
Given the expected benefits for school-age youth, the Council has approved the pilot phase, which will begin in sixth grade classes at the start of the 2023-2024 academic year in twenty (20) secondary schools, with ten (10) in urban areas and ten (10) in rural and peri-urban areas, spread across the twelve departments of the country.
The ministers concerned will ensure its successful implementation.
III- INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS AND EVENTS. It was authorized:
the organization of the inauguration ceremony of the Information and Coordination Center of the West African Power Exchange, on October 9, 2023; the celebration in Benin of: the 43rd World Food Day and the 27th TELEFOOD edition on October 16, 2023; the 26th edition of the National Mobilization Day for the Fight against Iodine Deficiency Disorders on October 27, 2023; and the participation of our country in the 10th Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the 3rd Conference of the Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, in Panama, from November 20 to 30, 2023.
Done in Cotonou, September 20, 2023,
The Secretary-General of the Government,
Edouard OUIN-OURO.
