Much more than just a bridge…
Léocadie Sognon and Eugène Koukou are neighbours. They live in the city of Natitingou, in the north of Benin. Their neighbourhood is isolated because of the river. Before 2010, there was only a pedestrian bridge, which was built on the initiative of Eugène, to link this neighbourhood to the town centre and to other neighbourhoods. When the water was high, it was too dangerous to use the bridge; so, inhabitants could not leave their neighbourhood and get to Natitingou with its markets, schools, businesses, hospital and town hall…
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In 2010, a new bridge was built as part of the municipal development plan. Indeed, Natitingou is one of the 25 Benin communities that Belgian Cooperation supports with implementing their development plan. The new bridge is part of the somewhat 300 infrastructure works planned in this context, including town halls, warehouses, markets, schools, public lighting, roads etc.
The bridge means a world of difference to Léocadie, Eugène and their neighbours. For instance, in the rainy seasons, Eugène is not stuck anymore when he wants to sell his maize on the market in town. “I could not sell my crop, and to make things worse, because of humidity and a lack of storage capacity, I saw the fruit of my labour wither. Moreover, this bridges cuts distances to other places, so I can go to two markets instead of just one. That way I earn more.”
The construction of the bridge suits the population growth in the area well. Now, there is a good road and construction materials are easily moved in by truck. The municipality is also able to bring electricity in the area and to lay out roads.
But the major improvement for families is that the school career of their kids is not hindered by the 6-month rainy season anymore. “When the river was high, kids used to skip classes. Now, crossing has become easy and children go to school the whole season. Quite a few children drowned, as they tried to swim to the other side. Thanks to this bridge, the future and safety of our children is secured.”
Finally, Léocadie and Eugène insist, the people of our community can go to the healthcare centre when they are sick, and emergency evacuations, especially in case of complications in childbirth, are now possible, regardless of the weather.
Facts and stats
- Support programme for the implementation of municipal development plans in the departments of Atacora, Donga, Mono and Couffo.
- Period: 2008-2012
- Funded by Benin and Belgium (11.4 million euros).
- The programme supports 25 municipalities, totalling close to 2,000,000 inhabitants.
- At the end of 2010, among others, 61 area offices, 61 warehouses and shops, 99 classrooms and 8 youth centres were built.
- The new Djotto area office has registered an increase in registered births by 20%.
- The construction of three classrooms in the village of Missiaffo has brought about an improved school attendance rate (of between 15% to 20%) among children in the area.
- The project has started to register all children aged 0 to 12 in the 25 municipalities in order to provide them with identification papers.
