I became acquainted with Rock shortly after I arrived in country in September of 1997: I was on the look-out for a driver, as I worked in Porto-Novo and so needed someone to handle the punishing drive while I used the commute time more productively.
Rock came highly recommended to me by Mr. Bob Fadegnon, Cultural Affairs assistant at the American Cultural Center. You are no doubt as interested in a driver of great competence as I am, and I can assure you (as a competent and critical driver myself) that Rock is a very good driver.
I have never had reason to regret hiring Rock. I've discovered that he is very pro-active with maintenance, stays up on all the documentation necessary for the car (registration, insurance, etc.), and handles the repairs or problems in a workmanlike manner. I never worry about our papers when the police stop us at roadblocks - everything is in order. Rock has driven us to Togo many times, and handles the border crossing without difficulty. He has also served as our guide to several parts of Benin (he used to work for a tourist agency as a driver). Furthermore, I have never known him to get drowsy while driving, in spite of some long trips. In that regard, he is a better man than I. Of course he never drinks and drives.
I consider him completely trustworthy, and of good moral character. When I have a problem with almost any aspect of Beninese life, I turn first to Rock and he generally helps me to solve it. He's my personal cultural affairs officer. He knows people all over town, knows how to get anywhere, and gets along very well with me. He is intelligent, interested in and informed about politics and the government, and has been eager to serve as my Fon instructor. I find it very easy to get along with Rock: he has a good sense of justice.
In sum I have no reservations about recommending Rock to you heartily. You'll be glad that you engaged him. If you'd like to meet him, you can contact him by inquiring at the American Cultural Center (nearly all the personnel know him). Contact me if you have any questions at all.