As representatives of State Authority in the Departments of Benin, the prefects play an essential role in implementing government policies at the local level. To stay informed about major economic initiatives underway in Benin, the prefects visited Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
The delegation was received by Mr. Létondji BEHETON, Managing Director of Société d’Investissement et de Promotion de l’Industrie (SIPI-BENIN S.A.).
Project presentation and GDIZ site visit
The first step of this visit was devoted to the detailed presentation of GDIZ project and its model. During this presentation, Mr. Létondji BEHETON emphasised that: “This Zone is an important part in the Government’s efforts to transform our economy.”
The presentation step was followed by a guided tour of the site, allowing the prefects to closely observe the already operational industries as well as the infrastructure under development within the Zone.
Pride and Satisfaction
The visit brought the prefects a sense of pride and satisfaction, as they were able to witness the local transformation of certain agricultural raw materials (cotton, cashew, soybeans) from Benin within GDIZ. These emotions intensified when they also saw the thousands of young Beninese working within the Zone.
In addition to appreciating the progress made and the opportunities offered by GDIZ, the prefects unanimously praised the vision of the Head of State which enabled the realisation of this ambitious project. They also expressed admiration for the dedication and professionalism of SIPI-BENIN S.A. team in charge of its implementation.
The prefects, now the voice of GDIZ to the population
Aware of the importance of raising awareness among local populations about the positive impacts of GDIZ, the prefects have committed to become the spokespersons of this project within their communities. Mr. Jean-Claude CODJIA, Prefect of “Atlantique” Department, affirmed with determination: “We will now be ambassadors of GDIZ to say that concrete progress is being made. We even have social benefits, highly social, and thousands of jobs being created.”
This commitment reflects the prefects’ willingness to actively promote the development of their territories, ensuring that the benefits of GDIZ reach all citizens.
