Fez-Meknes Allocates MAD 157.9 Million for Civil Protection

Rabat – The Regional Council of Fes-Meknes approved on Monday a draft partnership agreement for the construction and equipment of Civil Protection emergency response centers across the region, with a total budget of MAD 157.9 million.

The decision was taken during the council’s July ordinary meeting in Ifrane.

The convention brought together the Wilaya of the region of Fes-Meknes, the regional council, concerned prefectures and provinces, the regional agency for projects’ execution (AREP), and the Regional Directorate of Civil Protection.

It aims to strengthen emergency response services and expand the geographic coverage for the protection of people and property.

The Regional Council is contributing around MAD 70.7 million, while the remaining amount of the funding will come from the different prefectures and provinces that will benefit from this partnership.

Fez is set to contribute MAD 40 million, followed by El Hajeb (MAD 21.1 million), Ifrane (MAD 19.3 million), Taza (MAD 17.9 million), Moulay Yacoub (MAD 17 million), Sefrou (MAD 13.5 million), Meknes (MAD 13 million), Boulemane (MAD 9.8 million), and Taounate (MAD 6.3 million).

The session was attended by the Wali of the region of Fez-Meknes and the governor of the prefecture of Fez, Khalid Ait Taleb, and they discussed other regional matters too.

Several conventions were also approved concerning the upgrading of urban centers in Ifrane Province and the funding and implementation of the urban upgrading program for the city of Sefrou for 2026-2028.

There have also been discussions on the creation of a wholesale market for agriculture and food products in the region as well as the creation and rehabilitation of pilot markets and the development of a woodworking zone in Meknes.

The Council has also reviewed the Program for Regional Development (PDR) for 2022-2027, noting that 20% of the projects are already completed, 42% are currently being launched or implemented, 9% are still in the research phase, and 29% in the preparation phase.

Concerning the 2020-2022 State-Region program contract, it was reported that more than 40% of projects were completed while half of the projects reached an advanced level of implementation and should be finalized soon.