Sand quarrying in Sèmè-Podji is expanding despite a four-year municipal moratorium on new quarry authorizations. Mayor Thomas Singbo suspended Mlf Trading’s Djeffa operation after alleged failures involving digital truck tracking, local-development contributions, mining royalties, declared volumes and authorized dredging limits. The article argues that the problem reflects broader weaknesses in the municipal and state oversight system, potentially affecting revenue, agricultural land, roads and environmental protections. It calls for a government audit of all quarry permits, operating areas, extracted volumes, payments and social and environmental obligations, along with a transparent map of authorized sites and a review of past authorization procedures.

The wooden footbridge connecting Sèkandji and Tchonvi in Sèmè-Podji has deteriorated severely after more than 20 years, with broken and missing planks, weakened supports, accidents and reported fatalities. Residents depend on it for daily travel but say their appeals have been ignored. A permanent replacement was initially included in the Pavicc project linking Sèkandji, Tchonvi and Ekpé, but delays caused by contractor Yelih and the later involvement of Vico were followed by the bridge’s apparent removal from the planned works. The article calls for authorities and project stakeholders to explain the decision and urgently provide a safe, durable structure.

Children in Benin are among the most vulnerable to climate change, facing disrupted schooling, displacement, food insecurity, waterborne diseases and health risks during floods, droughts and extreme heat. Flooding has closed or damaged schools across several departments, affecting thousands of children and causing high dropout rates in areas such as Athiémé and So-Ava. Although Benin has adopted climate legislation, adaptation plans and institutions, child-specific data, resilient infrastructure and targeted policies remain inadequate. Experts and child-rights advocates call for stronger health and education systems, emergency planning, climate education from primary school, and meaningful participation by children in climate decision-making. UNICEF, the UNDP and civil-society groups are supporting these efforts, but substantial implementation challenges remain.