Atlantic Prefect Raphaël Akotègnon led a working session at the Abomey-Calavi town hall on Monday, 26 October 2026. Officials gathered to negotiate the relocation of ritual sites currently situated along the path of a planned road project. Participants discussed the necessary steps to clear the construction area while respecting local cultural practices. The meeting focused on coordinating the efforts of municipal authorities and relevant stakeholders to ensure the project continues without further delay. Representatives reviewed the specific locations requiring ritual intervention to allow for the scheduled infrastructure work. This working session, held specifically on Monday, October 26, 2026, served as the primary forum for formalizing the cooperation between civil authorities and traditional leadership. As the leader of the proceedings, Atlantic Prefect Raphaël Akotègnon emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to resolve the current impasse regarding the land designated for the road.
Stakeholders Discuss Infrastructure Obstacles
Participants in the working session included officials from the Road Infrastructure and Land Development Company (SIRAT), guardians of traditional religions, and local elected officials. These stakeholders convened to address the technical and cultural requirements for clearing the land designated for the road expansion. Representatives from SIRAT provided engineering details regarding the construction path, while the guardians of traditional religions identified the specific ritual sites that necessitate relocation or ceremonial decommissioning. The presence of local elected officials ensured that the municipal perspective remained central to the discussions regarding the preservation of cultural heritage during the infrastructure development. The composition of the meeting, which featured officials from the Road Infrastructure and Land Development Company (SIRAT), guardians of traditional religions, and local elected officials, was designed to ensure that all relevant parties were represented in the decision-making process. By bringing these groups together, the participants sought to bridge the gap between modern engineering requirements and long-standing cultural traditions.
Patrice Hounyèazé, the first deputy mayor of Abomey-Calavi, received the responsibility of coordinating further on-site discussions between the religious leaders and the technical teams from SIRAT. This mandate requires Patrice Hounyèazé to facilitate direct communication between the engineers and the custodians of the ritual sites to establish a precise timeline for the interventions. These site visits will determine the physical boundaries of the ritual areas and the specific procedures required to move them, ensuring that the work of the Road Infrastructure and Land Development Company remains aligned with the cultural obligations identified by the religious representatives. The process aims to reconcile the construction schedule with the traditional practices observed in the areas designated for the project. Following the conclusion of the formal meeting, first deputy mayor Patrice Hounyèazé was officially tasked with coordinating further on-site discussions with religious leaders and SIRAT technical teams. This administrative step is intended to maintain momentum as the project moves from the planning phase into the practical implementation of ritual relocation and site clearance.
