Rabat – The Minister Delegate in Charge of Water is looking to develop projects in Morocco’s southern provinces. On Tuesday, Charafat Afilal said that the water administration is firmly committed to pursuing the realization of diverse projects intended to mobilize water resources in the Sakia-El Hamra-Oued Eddahab area.
The official voiced her announcement during her visit to Laayoun on Tuesday, January 16. The Minster Delegate checked on development projects launched by King Mohammed VI on the sidelines of the 40 anniversary of the Green March.
The structural projects seek to accompany the flow of the rapid development in the southern provinces.
“In light of the growth that the region will experience over the next few years, due to the high level of interest King Mohammed VI has in the Saharan provinces, the State Secretariat for Water, as part of its commitment to support the colossal development efforts of the region, will continue the realization of various development projects related to increasing the supply of typical water sources, as well as the use of seawater and the treatment and reuse of wastewater, said Afilal.
The official chairs the board meeting of the Sakia-El Hamra-Oued Eddahab Watershed Agency, according to Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).
Charafat said that the State Secretariat will soon launch the construction of four hill dams in the provinces of Laayoune, Smara, and Tarfaya with a total capacity of 1.7 million cubic meters.
The official said that these dams are the Lamhajib, Sidi Ahmed Rguibi, Kssat and Labouira dams, in addition to the Foum El Oued artificial water supply project. Charafat added that these important hydro projects will mobilize additional resources to ensure that drinking water and livestock watering requirements, as well as groundwater replenishment are all kept to high standards.
The Minister Delegate is also launching precautionary measures to protect the southern provinces from flooding. The water department, in collaboration with the Water Basin Agency and all the relative departments, are pursuing the implementation of these protection projects against flooding.
Charafat also said that construction will begin soon to rebuild the Sakia El Hama dam, which was affected by flooding caused by heavy rainfall experienced by the region in late 2016.
These projects, according to Charafat, are in addition to other projects dedicated to the region, including seawater desalination plants to supply the cities of Laayoune and Tarfaya with drinking water.
