BBN - DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT IN BENIN : Town halls have lead in the garlic

As part of my documentary research for the writing of my thesis, I found myself looking on the internet for information on several municipalities in Benin. It is clear that it is difficult, if not impossible, to collect information on the various activities of municipalities. Indeed, these municipalities do not have websites on which one can get information regarding their activities. I had to go, in person, to one of the municipalities to get the information I was looking for. Apart from this situation, I have received complaints from several acquaintances who live in Benin and abroad about the fact that there is not a platform on which they can get information on current events in the municipalities.

This is an aberration, given that we are in the digital age where the Beninese government is deploying all the necessary resources to digitize public services. Each municipality should have a platform that would allow the citizen to have access to all information related to the management of the municipality, public markets, the deliberations of the municipal council, the tourist attractions of the municipality, etc. This mainly responds to principles 4 and 12 of local governance, which are respectively the principle of openness and transparency, and the principle of accountability. Among the four (4) municipalities with special status, only the municipality of Cotonou has a platform. But it is not updated and sorely lacking in information.

Nowadays, information is the key to citizen participation. When citizens are informed about the management of their municipality, they feel concerned and this will boost their participation in community life.

The presence of municipalities on the internet is full of many advantages and opportunities. Indeed, this makes the municipalities visible on the national and international level. Communication on the Internet will allow each municipality to promote its territory and enhance its potential. This is territorial marketing which highlights the identity of the territory, its positioning, its basket of services, mainly the potential and the flagship products of its economy. This light on the municipality will attract both national and international investors, and contribute to the mobilization of members of the Beninese diaspora who wish to invest in their country. Finally, the communication will have the effect of increasing the citizen participation of the population, the basis of local development.

To do this, municipalities must put their information units to work by strengthening their capacities in the use of digital technology, in particular the Internet. Provide them with the necessary tools to carry out their work. Finally, inform the population about the existence of a platform designed and designed for them.

By Inella SOGBOHOSSOU