Citizen Appeals to Governor Over Stalled Royal Development Projects in Driouch

"The paving, we did not benefit from it, Mr. Governor... Many restructuring programs have not been realized... In 2008, five conventions were signed in the presence of (King Mohammed VI) and a budget of 850 million dirhams was allocated for the upgrading of the communes in the province. These conventions were signed by the president of the municipal council and the former governor... Billions, Mr. Governor, and nothing has been done." This is how the citizen addressed the governor of the province of Driouch, Abdesslam Frindou, reports the local website Nadorcity.

To recall, the sovereign presided in 2009 in Bni Ensar (province of Nador) the ceremony of signing five conventions for the urban rehabilitation of the cities of Zaïo, Driouch, Midar, Ben Taieb and Farkhana, for a total cost of 850 million dirhams. These conventions aimed to define the terms of implementation and the financing mechanisms of the urban rehabilitation programs of the five cities and centers concerned, over a period of four years (from 2009 to 2012). The program to upgrade the cities concerned included the development of public squares, green spaces, the opening and construction of structuring roads, the restructuring of under-equipped neighborhoods, the strengthening of the public lighting network, the improvement and strengthening of the liquid sanitation network, as well as the construction of public facilities.

In response to the citizen, the governor of the province of Driouch indicated that his predecessors had accomplished "what they could" and that he was continuing his work in the continuity of responsibility. He committed to mobilizing the necessary financial resources to carry out the projects and modernize the infrastructure. The governor, however, insisted that he did not have a magic lever to change the situation instantly. He promised that the liquid sanitation would be extended this year to three major communes in the province: Driouch, Midar and Ben Taieb. He also plans to restructure and upgrade these communes with a substantial budget for each municipality.