Privatization for university transport : A decision variously appreciated

The 17 June 2022, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced that student transport will soon be privatized. A decision that divides the ranks of students at the University of Abomey-Calavi. If the National Union of Students of Benin (Uneb) does not oppose the decision, Uneb warns.

The privatization of university works is a decision that has been hanging over the noses of students for months when the government put forward the idea. Eléonore Yayi Ladékan relaunched the debate during the show “The Government in action”. The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research confided that “the transport of students could be entrusted to private individuals” while adding that these private individuals will “absolutely receive support from the State”. For beneficiaries, feelings are shared. “I don’t know what would result from the privatization of transport but I don’t think it’s a good idea”, takes offense Cyrille, 3rd year linguistics student.

For others, there is nothing wrong with that but the question they ask is the cost that the private sector will apply. “We are already living in unfavorable conditions. Changing management does not bother us but increasing the cost of transport will not be welcome. How much will we pay now? » asks this other student.

Approach, the president of the National Union of Students of Benin indicates that the question of the privatization of social works at the UAC has been running in all directions for more than a year that the government has decided to do what it calls “delegated management “. The National Union of Benin Students is not against the idea “We agree as long as the quality of services is improved because in all things we must pause and re-evaluate” indicated its president, Oscar Akpacla.  However, he confides that there are limits that students will not accept. No question of increasing the costs of services “Let these private individuals not consider increasing the price of catering tickets which is today at 150f, the transport ticket which is 100f nor the accommodation costs in university cabins which today cost 2.500 F CFA, the month. We notified them of this,” insisted the president of the National Union of Students of Benin.

Arnaud ACAKPO (Coll)