Dr Zul-Kifl Salami Overseeing Arab-Funded Projects in Benin

Dr Zul-Kifl Salami, Minister of State and Special Advisor to the President of Benin, has embarked on a series of site visits to projects funded by Arab partners. The goal is to assess progress, evaluate existing infrastructure, and emphasize the importance of quality and timeliness. This initiative aims to guarantee that mobilized funds yield concrete results. The first project visited was the Agricultural Development and Climate Change Adaptation Project in the Mono Valley and Niger River Valley.

The Agricultural Development Project, supported by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), has a budget of approximately 30 billion FCFA, or 50 million dollars, supplemented by a national contribution of 4.8 billion FCFA. The project encompasses five components, including hydro-agricultural and piscicultural developments, consultant services, production and value chain support, micro-project and entrepreneurship development, and project management. Dr Salami met with local authorities, coordinators, and experts to review progress.

The project has significant economic and social ambitions, aiming to create jobs for young farmers, increase women's incomes, and support small business development. Dr Salami's visit included the official handover of the site to the selected company. The minister then proceeded to Tchaourou, where he inspected a healthcare project funded by the Kuwaiti Fund, with a budget of nearly 9 billion FCFA. Four out of six planned health centers have been completed, with an overall physical execution rate of 54.37% and a financial execution rate of 49.18%.

During his visits to Alafiarou and Goro, Dr Salami observed the availability of infrastructure and encouraged healthcare officials to maintain facilities, ensure cleanliness, and provide satisfactory patient care. The construction of a zone hospital in Tchaourou has an additional budget of approximately 3 billion FCFA, approved by the Council of Ministers. The acquisition of medical equipment is nearing completion. Furthermore, Dr Salami visited a hospital in Savè, funded by the Saudi Development Fund with 5.34 billion FCFA and a national contribution of 2.7 billion FCFA.

The Savè hospital is equipped with modern equipment for operating rooms and ophthalmological care, as well as accommodations for specialist doctors. The civil engineering work has reached 96.5% completion. Dr Salami emphasized the need for continued monitoring of projects to ensure that investments in priority sectors translate into improved living conditions for citizens. This oversight is essential to achieving the desired impact.

The projects under review align with Benin's development goals, focusing on critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure. By engaging directly with stakeholders, Dr Salami demonstrates the government's commitment to transparency and accountability. The minister's visits will likely continue, covering other projects supported by Arab partners.

Effective project management and monitoring are crucial to maximizing the benefits of foreign investments. Dr Salami's proactive approach underscores the importance of collaboration between the government, local authorities, and international partners. As Benin continues to implement these projects, the impact on the lives of its citizens will be closely watched.

Key points

• Dr Zul-Kifl Salami is conducting on-site visits to ensure the timely completion and quality of projects funded by Arab partners in Benin.
• The projects under review include agricultural development, healthcare infrastructure, and hospital construction.
• The goal of these visits is to guarantee that mobilized funds yield concrete results and improve living conditions for Benin's citizens.