Southern provinces: The private sector called upon to play the game
The Southern Development Program has begun to transform the image of these territories. Today, HM the King calls for the initiation of a new phase in this momentum. In his speech on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Green March, the Sovereign pleaded for the exploration of new possibilities and new horizons, particularly in the buoyant sectors of the blue economy and renewable energies.
After an initial phase in which public investments made it possible to strengthen the supply of basic infrastructure and transformational projects, the private sector is called upon to play the game. “In correlation with this context of national responsibility, we urge the private sector to maintain the commitment he has made to raise the level of productive investment in these provinces, and to place particular emphasis on projects having a social calling”, underlined the Sovereign.
■ Development program
This development momentum is in line with the management logic of the Sahara affair. This approach “results from an integrated vision that combines political and diplomatic action with the promotion of socio-economic and human development in the region”. This is the logic that guided the deployment of the development program for the Southern provinces, launched in the city of Laayoune in November 2015 and in Dakhla in February 2016. With a budget of 77 billion Dirhams, “this integrated program is designed to initiate a real economic and social dynamic in the region”. Its calling is to stimulate, in these territories, the creation of jobs, to ensure a climate conducive to investment, and to provide the provinces with the infrastructure and equipment they need. The progress of these projects is overseen by local authorities and elected councils. Today, the achievements are already there. The expenditures made are close to 80% of the budget allocated. The Sovereign was delighted with the “positive results achieved”. For example, the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway is already in the completion phase. On the other hand, the region’s connection to the national electricity grid is well and truly ensured, and its communication networks have also benefited from a reinforcement and extension plan. Ditto for the solar and wind energy plant projects, planned in the program, which have been completed. As for the megaproject of the Dakhla Atlantic harbor, the Sovereign announced that the studies and the administrative formalities have been finalized, and the construction works will start soon.
■ Growth sectors
The King also emphasized the economic dynamics in the key sectors of these territories. “A set of projects have been carried out within the framework of the sector for the development and processing of fishery products”. Thousands of jobs have been created for the benefit of the inhabitants of the region. The same goes for the agricultural sector, with the development of more than 6,000 hectares in Dakhla and Boujdour, made available to young farmers in these areas. At the same time, most of the projects planned in the phosphate, water, and sanitation sectors show advanced completion rates. The achievements also concern the social and cultural fields, particularly in education and training, health, and other sectors.
The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline on the right track
For Morocco, the course has been set: the development of the southern provinces makes it possible to consolidate its historical role as a link between the Kingdom and its African depth. Today, this role is designed with a perspective resolutely turned towards the future. This is the framework for the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, for example. “We are pleased to note the current state of progress of this major project, in accordance with the agreement signed in December 2016”, underlined the Sovereign. The signing of the memorandum of understanding with ECOWAS and with Mauritania and Senegal also marks an essential milestone in the project implementation process. For the Sovereign, this “reflects the commitment of the countries concerned to contribute to the realization of this strategic project, and illustrates the political will to ensure its success”. The goal is for the project to be “more broadly a strategic project beneficial to the entire West African region”, especially since it is a project that offers opportunities and guarantees in terms of energy security and socio-economic and industrial development. It is also “a transformational project promising to link Africa and Europe”. Hence the importance of the support of regional and international financial institutions, which have expressed the wish to provide effective support for its implementation. The Sovereign could not have been clearer in affirming “the wish of Morocco to act, always, in concert with our brothers in Nigeria and all the partners, in full transparency and responsibility, so that this project is materialized as soon as possible”.
M.A.M.
