HM King Mohammed VI, accompanied by HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, launched on Wednesday two road projects, as part of the Azur Plan at a budget of MAD 131 million, reported MAP news agency.
He also inaugurated the second national highway between Oujda Angad airport and Ahfir.
This project cost MAD 71 million in partnership with the Ministry of Equipment and Transport (MAD 21 million), the Regional Council of the Oriental (MAD 25 million) and the Agency for promoting the Economic and Social Development of Northern Districts and Provinces (MAD 25 million).
This project, which has been allocated MAD 431 million, is part of the national programme to support the development of the Sadia tourist station, improve the access to the Oujda-Angad airport, promote investments in the Eastern region and relieve congestion in road traffic estimated at 11,000 cars per day.
Launched in June 2003, this project will benefit 70,222 inhabitants of the Isly, Ahl Angad, Bni Drar, Bni Khalid, Aghbal and Ahfir districts. It will also improve the liaison between the two economic poles of the region (Nador and Oujda).
The King also launched the works of developing the road between Ahfir and Saidia that covers 17 km.
This project, which will be financed by the Ministry of Tourism through the Hassan II Fund for the Economic and Social Development, will benefit 50,000 inhabitants of Ahfir, Aghbal, Latamna and Saidia districts.
The Sovereign also launched the project of building 3062 flats for the future employees of the Saidia tourist station, the first among six other projects to be set up in the framework of the Azur Plan.
He was briefed on the consistency of the project that will cover an area of 233,338 square meters.
The zone, which is situated in Douar Trifa in Saidia, is a strategic site. It looks on the Mediterranean coast 60 away from Oujeda.
The project aims at building a large housing group of 159 units.
The first phase will be devoted to building 672 flats, while 65 units containing 1208 flats will be built in the second phase, and 1,182 flats in the third one.
This project is expected to include commercial malls, cultural centres, a mosque, two schools, a high school and two sport clubs.
The King also inaugurated in Madagh district (Berkane province) part of the national programme of developing Mediterranean highways relating Ras Kebdana with Oued Kerb (National road n 16).
The works under construction include two bridges and 170 works of cleaning up, worth of MAD 600 millions.
Financed by the Abou Dhabi Fund, this road network is going to benefitl some 170.000 inhabitants and 7 towns.
The projects aims at encouraging investments, improving the potentialities of tourism and agriculture in the region, reducing the time and cost of transport.
During 2005, the second national programme of developing rural roads will raise the rural population's access to the national road network from 50% in 2005 to 73% by the end of 2015. The programme seeks to cover 1128 km of rural roads at a budget of MAD 667 millions.
On his arrival, the King was greeted by the Governor of Nador Province, Abdellah Bendhiba, the President of the Provincel Council of Berkane, Mohammed Hajji, the President of the Province Council of Nador, Mohammed Boujida, the President of Rural District of Ras El Ma, Jilali Sabhi and the President of the Rural District of Madagh, Taib Saidi.
© Morocco Times 2005
