BENIN: Sogea-Satom starts urgent drinking water works in 2 communes

As part of its policy to tackle drinking water shortages, the government of the Republic of Benin is implementing the Emergency Project to reinforce the drinking water supply in the Akpakpa and Agblangandan areas from the Porto-Novo wellfields. The French company Sogea-Satom is carrying out the work, which is designed to secure the supply of water to the target populations until 2030.

Launched on June 11, 2024, the project to reinforce the drinking water supply to the Akpakpa and Agblangandan areas from the Porto-Novo wellfields in Benin is scheduled to last 15 months, until the end of 2025. According to the Beninese Ministry of Water and Mines, this initiative will sound the death knell for the lack of access to drinking water in the localities of Porto-Novo and Agblangandan.Akpakpa and Agblangandan in the towns of Sèmè-Podji and Cotonou respectively, as well as in the surrounding areas. The contract has been awarded to Sogea-Satom, a subsidiary of the French public works group Vinci.

The aim is to meet the demand for drinking water in the two target localities, with an overall capacity of 2,500^m3 per hour, i.e. 60,000^m3 per day. At present, the structural deficit in drinking water production is around 1,200^m3 per hour, or 28,800^m3 per day.

Just under 26 million euros required

The future drinking water supply systems to be installed in Akpakpa and Agblangandan will pump water from the Porto-Novo lagoon via four boreholes, each equipped with electric pumps. The water will be stored in four anti-bankruptcy or stabilization reservoirs. Sogea-Satom will build a fifth 100^m3 reservoir, which this time will be elevated.

The water will pass through a piping system featuring three degassing towers (to remove unwanted oxygen or carbonic acid from the water, editor's note). The AEP will also be equipped with a remote management system, which has become essential because it enables the operator of the water network to exercise permanent control and remote management. This helps to ensure the quality of the water delivered to the tap, as well as the continuity of supply.

In all, around 17 billion CFA francs (nearly 26 million euros) will be needed to carry out the various works, which should not only meet the drinking water needs of Akpakpa and Agblangandan until 2030, but also enhance theSociété Nationale des Eaux du Bénin (Soneb), which is responsible for collecting, transporting, treating and distributing drinking water, as well as disposing of wastewater in the West African country.

Source: www.afrik21.africa/