Benin’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small and medium-sized industries (SMIs) will soon be connected free of charge to the water network of Benin’s National Water Company. Camille Dansou, the general manager of the company, told SMEs and SMIs on February 28, 2020, that this is an initial connection of 15 or 20 gauge.
“Depending on whether it is a 15 or 20 size, in terms of connection, the cost normally varies between 105 thousand CFA francs (160 euros) or 110 thousand CFA francs (about 168 euros),” Camille Dansou explained. The director of the SONEB specifies that “these services are provided free of charge for SMEs and SMIs, except for the small portion that is subject to fixed stamp duty of 2,400 CFA francs (about 3.70 euros), and the deposit on consumption, which is about 12,000 CFA francs (about 18.30 euros) and which is not under SONEB’s control”.
Conditions to be met by SMEs and SMIs
The free connection to the Benin’s National Water Company network will take a maximum of six working days. Its aim is to facilitate access to drinking water for SMEs and SMIs. To benefit from company’s services free of charge, SMEs and SMIs will have to register online on the website of the company. On the form, SMEs and SMIs will have to specify whether they are members or owners of their buildings. These companies will also have to indicate whether they are in possession of a building permit for their premises. Companies will have to precise whether or not they are located in the immediate vicinity of the SONEB’s water network. They specify that the connection concerns small businesses located close to its network.
According to them, through the project to connect SMEs and SMIs to its water network free of charge, it is helping to improve Benin’s business climate. It is also helping the Beninese government to promote new investments in this West African country.
Inès Magoum