Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: In West Africa, Beninese government authorities now advocate improving the use of inland waterways as an effective, sustainable and resilient response to road congestion and pollution.This vision is expressed in numerous projects including the redevelopment of the lakeside town of Ganvié in So-Ava, the dredging of Lake Ahémé in order to give it a better depth for securing fishery resources, the organization of the transport of passengers between Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou and Porto-Novo cities.This contribution focuses on the challenges and perspectives of waterways transportation and port activities development.The methodological approach is mixed : quantitative and qualitative.It is based in one hand on the collection of data through semi-directive interviews with the different stakeholders (40 people) : authorities and municipal development associations, populations living on these bodies of water, artisanal and waterways carriers (canoe operators, guides and traders).On the other hand, it is interested in the analysis of statistics from governmental and international institutions, study mission reports and a questionnaire survey of 87 actors chosen in a reasoned manner.The results show that developments on bodies of water in south Benin can promote passengers and goods inland waterways transportation, artisanal local units manufacturing canoes and motorized boats.The reforms will improve sustainaible and resilient mobilities, enhance port competitiveness through inland waterways terminals and stations towards the country.
Author: Messan Lihoussou
Language: English
Topic: Maritime Ports and Logistics
Subfield: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4390947736