Reopening of river sand quarries : The good news for the operators of the Ouémé Valley

Announced a few days ago after several working sessions by the competent authorities, the resumption of activities on river sand quarries, particularly in the Ouémé valley, is effective. Since monday 8 last february, the passage of trucks on the national road number 4 towards the communes of Adjohoun and Bonou and in the opposite direction is increasingly noticeable.

Even if a dead calm still reigns at the level of certain river sand quarries like those of Démè, Fanvi and Gla in Adjohoun commune, this is not the case on other sites. In Agbakon in the central district of Adjohoun, the actors of the sector have returned to their activities. A tour in the morning of last Monday on the spot makes it possible to make the observation. Sand extractors, women, loaders and truck drivers were there. "It feels good to resume with your activity with which we manage to make ends meet" rejoices Dantondji ASSOGBA, Chairman of Agbakon River Sand Quarry Operators. With a relaxed face, the 60-year-old continues "The few weeks of shutdown following the government’s suspension decision really hurt us. We no longer knew which spirit to confide in. It's really hard to live without this activity "he said. Throughout the entire labor chain of river sand mining quarries, joy is back in hearts after weeks of doubt about whether or not to resume activities. "It's our activity that nourishes us. His suspension in the meantime has given us grief because we no longer have other means to meet our basic needs. We thank the authorities for the lifting of the suspension measures and promise to submit to the new provisions which govern the sector ”insists Saturnin DOSSOU., river sand quarry operator. Just like in the commune of Adjohoun, activities have resumed at certain river sand quarries in the municipality of Bonou.

Note that this relaunch of river sand exploitation activities follows the working sessions held on Wednesday 3 Last February simultaneously in the two town halls between the operators and the municipal authorities. Which sessions enabled the authorities to expose the actors of the river sand industry to the new methods of quarry exploitation.

Edmond HOUESSIKINDE