Release of public space: the Cotonou city hall launches this Monday the enforcement phase against illegal garages, wrecks, and abandoned vehicles.

After several months of information, awareness-raising, and dialogue, the Cotonou city hall is moving to the operational phase of its public space liberation action. Starting Monday, September 21, 2026, garages installed on public roads, abandoned vehicles, and wrecks are particularly targeted by this operation announced as permanent.

The decision was announced on Friday, September 18, during a press conference at the Cotonou City Hall. According to the First Deputy Mayor, Arlette Saïzonou, this initiative is part of the municipality’s desire to “scale up” in the management of the economic capital of Benin. It specifically falls under the “Change, Repair the City” component of the 2026-2033 mandate project.

“When a street becomes a storage place for wrecks, when an abandoned vehicle permanently occupies part of the roadway, when a garage takes over a space intended for traffic, it is not just a problem of physical occupation of space: it is the very functionality of the city that is altered,” explained Arlette Saïzonou.

The town hall assures that it has favored a gradual approach before reaching execution. According to the Director of Technical Services, Urbain Abdel Aziz Kpatchia, the initial steps date back to April 13, 2026, with a statement inviting the concerned parties to comply with the regulations. A period of 90 days was then granted, followed by several extensions. “The approach taken is therefore gradual. It started with information, then we moved to awareness, followed by dialogue, notice, notification, and finally a reminder. Today, we want to move to execution ,” he stated.

The first phase of the operation will target garages that occupy public land irregularly. The town hall reminds that a professional garage must have an appropriate and secure space and cannot, in its view, be located on public roads. Abandoned vehicles and wrecks present in the streets are also included. However, the operation will not be limited to garages. After this initial step, the municipality plans to address other forms of illegal occupation of public land, followed by constructions carried out without authorization or building permits.

Municipal authorities emphasize that the operation is not aimed at excluding participants in the informal economy. “This is not a blind institutional pressure on the key players in our city’s economy. Rather, it is an urban cleanliness operation,” clarified Arlette Saïzonou. Measures are being announced to prevent reoccupations after the municipal teams have passed through. Permanent representatives will be present in the developed areas to report any new irregular occupation.

The town hall also announces fees related to the removal and impoundment of the affected vehicles. It states that the goal is to sustainably restore traffic and the collective use of public spaces. “The street is our home. We must protect and respect it,” concluded the First Deputy Mayor.