Announcement by President Yayi Boni of the celebration of August 1st in Abomey: Maxime Houédjissin’s shouting out.
Since his election as President of Republic of Benin, The so called Doctor in economy, Mister Yayi Boni never show a great sense of prevision in his political decision which mostly are taken overnight, in sheer hastiness out of well though preparation. This was the case of the announcements some time ago of free education in elementary school level and free medical care for children and so on ; announcement which’s hastiness generates more problems than it solves. By so doing, at best Yayi Boni can be taxed with inexperience; but it seems that beyond inexperience, Yayi Boni’s decisions are always politically ambiguous, if not demagogic ; thought they seem to be taken in the interest of the people, unfortunately they are in fact devoted to the President’s own political glory. The present announcement of Abomey as the city were the forth coming celebration of Benin Independence day will take place comes under the same ambiguity. This the reason the legitimate reason of Maxime Houédjissin’s shouting out, a native of Abomey who so far among politicians of the region was considered Yayi Boni’s proponent.
Taking advantage of his presence in the historic city of Abomey to launch the price of the cotton last Saturday, July 7th, the president of the Republic, Mister Yayi Boni, announced that it is the city of Abomey that is going to shelter the celebration of the 47th anniversary of Benin independence. In front of what he considered as sheer provocation, the former questeur of the Parliament, Maxime Houédjissin, as son of the city, thinks that it was made in the haste. So far, he said, he has been in agreement with the ideas of the Head of State, but on this particular point, he is anxious to show his first discord. He refuses that in spite of its position of historical capital of Benin, Abomey be used just for protocol sake.
Had he been really interested in the success of this feast, the Head of State would have announced it at least two years before, said the questeur of 2nd and 3rd legislatures. So, Mr Yayi Boni would have had enough time to set up a committee of renovation of the city, to restore its attributes of historical capital. As things are going on right now, he asked, what is going to remain in the population minds after the day of August 1st? Nothing, he said. No single brick to remain, according to honourable Houédjissin, while the Goho square remains a memorable souvenir standing out with the passage of General Mathieu Kérékou on the occasion of the celebration of a feast in Abomey under his administration, he said. According to him, this decision was taken on a whim. As a rule, the celebration of the national holiday in a city has to contribute to its development through the construction of hotel infrastructures to welcome the guests who will make the movement, without counting roads and other practical capacities to give Abomey the face of a capital worthy of the name; a city capable of welcoming such an event. This is regrettably not the case at present. What can we make in 21 days and which can mark the celebration of this important event in the city of Houégbadjavi? Not that much answered Maxime Houédjissin; unless he added, the head of state is expecting through such a decision to sign a debt convention with the City of Abomey. By deciding to show the city under its present crumbling aspect if President Bony Yayi wishes to captivate the interest of financers, there is no inconvenience, Maxime Houédjissin said ironically, otherwise, only the effect of announcement, the ballet of machines and leading guests and the temporary knocks of distemper will stay in the memory of Houégbadjavi. «Abomey does not deserve it ", he concluded indignantly.
Christian Etèkpo
Translated by Binason Avèkes
Copyright, Blaise APLOGAN, 2007, © Bienvenu sur Babilown
Commentaires