The Council of Ministers met on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, under the chairmanship of Mr. Patrice TALON, President of the Republic, Head of State, Head of the Government. The following decisions were taken:
I- REGULATORY MEASURES.
Establishment and Procedures for Maintaining the Registry of Beninese Abroad
In view of improving the quality of consular services offered to Beninese citizens abroad in an increasingly digital context, it is planned to establish a system that facilitates the census of our compatriots living outside the country to form the “Registry of Beninese Abroad.”
This system is in perfect alignment with the law No. 2017-08 of June 19, 2017, on the identification of individuals in the Republic of Benin which states in Article 4 that “a personal identification number (PIN) is assigned to every natural person of Beninese nationality registered in a registry held in a diplomatic mission or Beninese consular post abroad.”
The purpose ultimately is to enable registered Beninese to request the state to ensure the enjoyment of their rights as Beninese living abroad.
The decree under discussion is adopted to set the conditions and modalities for registration. It prescribes that registration in the registry is free and individual. It can be made by any compatriot living abroad for the benefit of their spouse of Beninese nationality or their minor children.
It is mandatory to benefit from consular protection and services delivered by the diplomatic and consular network of Benin.
In other words, the Registry serves as a basis for the issuance of consular cards and all other administrative documents to Beninese abroad by the Diplomatic and Consular Representations.
Depending on the place of residence, every Beninese abroad is attached to a consular district. Personal data is collected and processed under the conditions provided by the texts in force.
Ultimately, the operation will create the conditions for a better contribution of the diaspora to the development efforts of the country.
Other normative measures include decrees on:
- attributions, organization and operation of the Permanent National Commission of La Francophonie;
- approval of the National Contingency Plan of the Republic of Benin;
- and the one establishing the general framework for the management of public investments.
II- COMMUNICATIONS.
Report on the Withdrawal of the Operating License for the Auberge de Grand-Popo and its Annexes
The Minister in charge of Tourism reported to the Council that his competent services had carried out a surprise inspection and control mission, following alerts about the non-compliance by the operator of this hotel establishment with the regulations governing tourist accommodation establishments.
The serious shortcomings noted on this occasion relate in particular to hygiene, safety, and quality of service standards, all of which are punishable by the withdrawal of the operating license.
Furthermore, the termination of the lease by the Grand-Popo municipality due to breach of its contractual obligations implies the withdrawal from the operator of the management of the facility for which the operating license was granted; this subsequently renders said license void.
The failure to comply with contractual clauses relates, among other things, to arrears of rent owed by the operator and unpaid bills for water and electricity consumption over several months. For all these reasons and following the unsuccessful due diligence carried out by the municipality, the State, remaining the owner of the infrastructures, the Council instructed the minister as well as all others concerned, to enforce the current regulations. A project manager will also need to be identified for the rehabilitation of the infrastructure to the required norms and standards, in line with the Government’s orientations in the tourism sector.
III- International Meetings and Events.
Under this heading, Benin’s participation in the 91st General Session of the World Assembly of National Delegates of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has been authorized. This session will take place in Paris, France, from May 26 to 30, 2024.
IV- INDIVIDUAL MEASURES.
Upon proposal from the ministers, the following appointments have been made:
At the Ministry of Development and Government Action Coordination
Director-General of Development Policies: Mr. Cyriaque Romuald Adékambi EDON
Director-General for the Coordination and Monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals: Mr. Anicet Camille SEVOH
Director-General for Evaluation and Social Change Observatory: Mr. Abdoulaye GOUNOU
Deputy Director-General of Development Policies: Mr. Comlanvi Romaric Armel SOFONOU
Deputy General Manager for Coordination and Monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals: Mrs. Gloria Peace Dèkouhoué GUIDIGBI née BALOGOU
Deputy General Manager of Evaluation and Social Change Observatory: Mrs. Pélagie Léchidia Aflavi Dopé de SOUZA
Departmental Director of Development in Borgou: Mrs. Mariétou TAMBA
At the Ministry of Interior and Public Security
Director General of the Republican Police: Mr. Soumaïla Allabi YAYA
Deputy Director General of the Republican Police: Police Comptroller General Kokou Brice ALLOWANOU.
Done in Cotonou, on March 27, 2024,
The Secretary-General of the Government,
Edouard OUIN-OURO.