King Mohammed VI’s Brief Visit Sparks Concerns Over Delayed Casablanca Projects

The Moroccan sovereign was in the economic capital to inaugurate several projects, including Terminal 1 of Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport and the second tramway line, but he only stayed 24 hours on site, reports the newspaper Assabah. The reason for this short stay would be, according to the newspaper, the king’s dissatisfaction with the delay in several major projects launched for some several years and which should already have been finalized.

This is the case, for example, of the seafront promenade of the Hassan II Mosque, which is experiencing an 18-month delay and should be completed during this year. The newspaper also cites the Grand Theater of Casablanca, whose work was launched by King Mohammed VI in October 2014 and which should have been finalized more than a year ago. This major cultural venue will be the largest cultural complex in Africa and the Arab world, the project’s promoters proudly announced.

The newspaper also cites the Rachidi underground parking lot, the "Kora Ardia" dome or the Ain Diab seafront promenade, which seem far from the ambitions displayed on paper.

In total, 26 billion dirhams had been released by the public authorities for these various projects.