The Benin government has announced the creation of the Autorité pour l'Aménagement des Bassins de la zone de Fidjrossè à Ouidah, a new authority aimed at managing and protecting the area. This decision was made during a Council of Ministers meeting on October 7, 2026. The authority's primary goal is to address the urgent need to prevent the occupation of riverbanks, which poses a significant threat to the environmental balance and safety of the population.
The creation of this authority is a response to the rapid urbanization and uncontrolled occupation of riverbanks in the area, which spans across parts of Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, and Ouidah. The development of the Route des Pêches has increased the area's attractiveness, leading to a surge in construction and human activity. However, this growth has come at the cost of the environment, with mangroves, an internationally protected ecosystem, being threatened.
According to Wilfried Houngbédji, the government's spokesperson, the new authority will focus on three main areas: regulating urbanization, preserving wetlands, and better managing water flow risks. The current situation is alarming, with the riverbanks being almost fully occupied, and the administration acknowledging its part in the problem by providing assurances to individuals looking to settle in the area without adequate oversight.
The uncontrolled occupation of riverbanks poses a dual problem, threatening not only the mangroves but also reducing the space available for natural water flow. This can exacerbate flooding and put inhabitants at risk of significant damage. The government draws parallels with the Programme d'assainissement pluvial de Cotonou, which aims to redirect water to its natural channels, and believes that similar results can be achieved in the Fidjrossè to Ouidah area.
The creation of the new authority implies that some individuals currently occupying the areas concerned will need to be relocated. The government plans to purchase the properties of those who are legally established in the area, although the exact modalities of this operation have not been detailed. The goal is to free up the riverbanks and create a navigable waterway up to Ouidah.
The government's ambitions go beyond simply liberating the riverbanks. The plan is to develop the area, creating roads for vehicles, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians. According to Wilfried Houngbédji, this project requires a dedicated structure, which is why the new authority has been established. The Société des infrastructures routières et de l'aménagement du territoire (SIRAT) is already involved in other infrastructure projects, and a specialized authority is needed to focus on this specific area.
The new authority will play a crucial role in protecting the mangroves, managing flood risks, and reorganizing the riverbanks. Its primary mission will be to ensure that the development of the Fidjrossè to Ouidah area is coherent and sustainable, prioritizing the safety of inhabitants and addressing the concerns of affected property owners.
Key points
- The Benin government has created a new authority to manage and protect the Fidjrossè to Ouidah area, addressing concerns over uncontrolled urbanization and environmental degradation.
- The authority's primary goals include regulating urbanization, preserving wetlands, and better managing water flow risks.
- The project involves the relocation of some individuals currently occupying the areas concerned, with the government planning to purchase properties from those who are legally established.
