Minister of Interior Highlights Progress of the Social and Territorial Disparities Reduction Program

In the recent oral question session held on Tuesday at the House of Councillors, the Minister of the Interior provided a detailed report on the outcomes of the program aimed at reducing social and territorial disparities in rural and mountainous areas. The Minister confirmed that the program, launched in accordance with the high royal directives, has made significant progress in improving the living conditions of residents in vulnerable areas through substantial investments focused on enhancing infrastructure and providing essential services.

The Minister explained that the program, which spans from 2017 to 2023, aims to break the isolation of rural and mountainous areas through various projects, including road improvements, electricity and potable water provision, and advancements in education and healthcare. He highlighted that the program is funded from multiple sources, with a total budget of 50 billion dirhams allocated across regional councils, the Rural World Development Fund, the National Initiative for Human Development, and ministries including Infrastructure, Water, Health, and Agriculture.

During his presentation, the Minister provided crucial details about the allocation of funds across different sectors. Around 40% of the budget was allocated to regional councils, 21% to the Rural World Development Fund, 16% to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water, and 8% to the National Initiative for Human Development. Significant funds were also allocated to the electricity and potable water sectors, as well as to the ministries of Health and Agriculture.

The Minister noted that the program has contributed to the execution of over 8,170 projects out of 10,939 planned projects, representing 55% of the targeted initiatives. Among these, approximately 2,511 projects focused on improving roads, 1,981 projects targeted education, and 1,462 projects were related to healthcare, alongside efforts in electricity and water infrastructure. The Minister confirmed that work is ongoing on 1,464 additional projects.

He emphasized that these initiatives have had a positive impact on human development indicators in rural and mountainous areas, especially in the most vulnerable communes. The improvement of infrastructure such as roads, pathways, and utility networks has directly improved the lives of local residents, with road-related projects receiving priority, accounting for 70% of the program’s budget.

The Minister assured that there is close monitoring of the implementation process by the Ministry of the Interior through regional committees for the development of rural and mountainous areas, ensuring smooth progress in line with the set objectives. These committees continuously update the maps of territorial disparities to direct investments to the most needy regions.

In conclusion, the Minister confirmed that the program is a complementary effort to other ongoing government initiatives, stressing that coordination among various ministries and institutions is crucial for the success of this large-scale project. He considered the program’s results a reflection of the state’s commitment to achieving inclusive and fair development across regions, with a focus on supporting the poorest and most vulnerable areas.

The Minister also emphasized that the program is not meant to replace the projects of other sectors but rather contributes to addressing gaps and achieving balance between regions by enhancing coordination among all stakeholders. He concluded by expressing hope that these projects would lead to sustainable improvements in the living conditions of rural and mountainous areas, reaffirming that the government will continue its efforts to complete these projects and strengthen the social and economic development dimensions in these regions.

source : fesnews media

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