EBOMAF-BENIN : A new market to start 2017

The year 2017 is off to a promising start for EBOMAF in Benin. The government of Patrice Talon has once again renewed its confidence in the West African construction leader. At its weekly meeting on Wednesday, February 15, 2016, EBOMAF-BENIN was awarded a new contract, which will be formalized by a pre-financing agreement worth 32.5 billion CFA francs between the two parties.

Having confirmed the awarding of previously obtained contracts, the new Beninese government has decided to continue relying on EBOMAF to carry out its flagship road projects. This renewed partnership is based on the quality of the infrastructure already completed and the unwavering commitment of a key player in development. The clear sign that President Patrice Talon continues to believe in EBOMAF is the awarding by the Council of Ministers, during its weekly meeting on Wednesday, February 15, 2016, of the contract for "the development and paving of the second side of the RNIE-Cococodji-Hêvié-Ouèdo-Calavi-Kpota road (21.2 km)."

Without mincing words, the Beninese government, through a press conference held after the Council meeting by the Minister of State, Secretary General of the Presidency, Pascal Irénée Koupaki, explained its choice as follows:

“In February 2016, the company EBOMAF SA was awarded the contract for the construction and paving of the Missessinto-Zinvié-Sèdjèdénou-Zè (32 km), RNIE1 Cococodji-Hêvié-Ouèdo (9 km), and Ouèdo-Calavi-Kpota (12.2 km) roads, creating a dual carriageway. The contract is worth 64.3 billion CFA francs.

As part of the Government Action Program, the Government has included, among its 10 flagship projects, the development of the second side of the RNIE1 Cococodji-Hêvié-Ouèdo (9 km) and Ouèdo-Calavi Kpota (12.2 km) sections. With the initial contract work in its initial phase, it appeared more advantageous to discuss the terms of the paving and development work on the second side of the section with EBOMAF SA.

This option has the advantage of saving the State on site installation costs, reducing the contracting time, and promoting better site organization. Negotiations with the company, taking into account the doubling of the Hêvié bridge and a provision for relocating utility networks, resulted in a final cost of 35.2 billion FCFA including VAT.

The Council instructed the Minister of Economy and Finance to take urgent steps to finalize the contract with the company, as well as an addendum for the company's ten-year maintenance of the road to be constructed.

The Minister of Economy and Finance was also instructed to sign a pre-financing agreement with EBOMAF for the works, amounting to 35.2 billion FCFA.

JE/AB