The Council of Ministers of the Government of Benin met on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, under the effective chairmanship of His Excellency Patrice Talon. Many topics were discussed during this meeting. Here is the full report.
I – LEGISLATIVE MEASURES.
Establishment of the registry of beneficial owners at the National Land and Property Agency.
Various reports from both national and international bodies involved in the fight against money laundering and terrorism highlight the real estate and land sectors as the most likely to be used for investing illicitly acquired money.
According to these reports, our country is no exception to this trend as buildings can easily be purchased on behalf of individuals hidden behind corporate entities and/or legal structures without clear identification.
Indeed, the anonymity and opacity in which some property transactions are conducted are likely to be used for money laundering and financing terrorism.
Therefore, following the recommendations of these organizations, particularly the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), it appears appropriate to establish a legal framework for the collection, verification, and publication of information about the actual beneficiaries on an official website during the issuance and transfer of land titles.
To this end, this decree has been adopted. It establishes the creation of a registry of actual beneficiaries in the real estate and land sectors at the National Land and Property Agency.
The Minister of Economy and Finance will take the necessary measures for its proper implementation.
II- COMMUNICATIONS.
Additional Study Mission on the Implementation of a Domestic Wastewater Treatment System in Ganvié.
In the course of executing a previous mission on the same subject, it was requested to analyze the detailed preliminary project dossier produced by the contracting company. The following findings were revealed:
- No study, budgeting, or planning has been done for the connection and collection of wastewater from residences; this means that the system will not have incoming sewage to treat;
- The sizing of the wastewater treatment plant is planned for 75,000 Population Equivalents for a potential population of Ganvié in 2038; however, the current population is about 40,000 inhabitants;
- Biogas cogeneration will only add value after a connection of at least 40,000 Population Equivalents;
- The management of sludge after dehydration has not been studied; however, it can be used in agriculture as compost.
In light of these findings, it is recommended that a supplementary study to the detailed preliminary project dossier be carried out that takes into account the connection, collection, and treatment of wastewater. It should be accompanied by a specification sheet for the operation and maintenance of the related system, for a minimum duration of five (5) years.
In this context, the Council has agreed to the current mission and instructed the relevant ministers to ensure its proper conduct.
III- INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS AND EVENTS.
Under this item, the participation of the Ministry of Living and Transport Environment, in charge of Sustainable Development, as well as the Ministry of Labor and Public Service in statutory meetings and other meetings outside their respective jurisdictions, has been authorized for the year 2024.
IV- INDIVIDUAL MEASURES.
The following appointments have been announced:
At the Court of Auditors
In accordance with the organic law on the Court of Auditors, the following are appointed as members of the Higher Council of Accounts:
By the President of the Republic,
Gentlemen,
Kaddi AGBEDE, holder
Bio SOUROKOU, alternate
By the President of the National Assembly,
- Gentlemen
- Adolphe DJIMAN, holder
- Christophe Eric PONTIKAMOU, alternate
At the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Governance
Second Special Assistant to the Prefect of the Couffo Department: Mr. Ernest G. C. BODRENOU.
Done at Cotonou, on April 24, 2024.
The Secretary-General of the Government,
Edouard OUIN-OURO.