Parakou : The challenges awaiting the new mayor

Two handovers in two months at Parakou. A deeply divided city. The new mayor has a lot to do to get the third city with special status off the ground, which, Moreover, suffers cruelly from the poor state of road infrastructure.

In less than two months, Parakou knew three mayors. First, Charles Toko who had just finished his mandate. Ensuite, Aboubakar Yaya, former Minister of the Civil Service. This one only spent 2 months and 12 days at the head of this municipality which is also the 3rd city with special status in Benin. Immediately installed, Friday 21 August, he was dislodged from the Town Hall by Inoussa Chabi Zimé, after the Supreme Court invalidated the seats of two FCBE elected officials (Force Cauris for an Emerging Benin). The resumption of the mayoral election is seen in this town as a slap in the face, an injustice. Most citizens wonder if there would be an automatic takeover if the incumbent mayor lost his majority after, for example, one or two years of management.

The feeling of frustration was such that the prefect of Borgou postponed the election to a later date, serious reports of violence being prepared in protest against what some call a maneuver to destroy one of the few towns that were to be run by the opposition. Even Aboubakar Yaya the ephemeral mayor, used his authority to calm the spirits and prevent once again, the country is the scene of violence due to the elections.

If all went well and a new tenant is now installed at the Town Hall, several Parakois refuse to recognize the latter. In these conditions, Kora Zimé will have a lot to do to obtain the support of all of its constituents, membership necessary to manage the affairs of the municipality in serenity.

Challenges, there are many others. After cohesion and reconciliation to be sought at all costs, the new mayor will have to tackle the thorny issue of infrastructure, especially roads, if he wants to be applauded. Parakou is the 3rd largest city in Benin, an important stop on the way to Niger, du Togo, from Burkina Faso and Nigeria. Efforts have been made, after many recriminations, before this city had roads for the north-south and east-west crossing. But these roads are the trees that hide the forest. Behind, away from external eyes, road users continue to struggle on dusty roads severely affected by erosion. It is true that two streets were recently asphalted as part of the asphalting project. More, the needs are still enormous.

If citizens are waiting for the new mayor to improve the condition of the roads, it's because, generally, they believe that it is up to him to convince the government so that his city also benefits from development projects.

Pierre MATCHOUDO