فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The isolation of the Malahat Oulad Amkoudou villages, located in the Safrou province, has worsened due to the limited road infrastructure, as confirmed by local sources.
The region is only accessible via an unpaved road built during the construction of the hydro-agricultural channel coming from the Imdaz Dam to the Fes-Saiss plain, in addition to a paved road linking Taghrout village to Qalaat Said village. This has partially improved access to some villages but has not ended the total isolation.
The lack of basic development conditions has pushed many of the area’s residents to migrate to the communal center, the city of Al-Menzel, or other cities, as noted by local activists. The waves of migration have increased in recent years due to the decline in public services, lack of employment opportunities, and the absence of infrastructure capable of retaining the population.
The struggle of students in pursuing secondary and high school education has continued, as they attend classes in Boudrahim Center. Some of them benefit from the boarding section at the communal school, according to local parents’ reports. The absence of school transportation makes daily commuting even more challenging, particularly for girls, exposing many to the risk of dropping out of school.
Agricultural activities, which are the main source of livelihood for the local population, have declined due to consecutive years of drought and the absence of support or agricultural development programs. Local farmers pointed out that while the Sebou River passes through the area, and the hydro-agricultural channel runs alongside it, there have been no structured irrigation projects. The recurrent floods have caused erosion of cultivated areas relying on traditional irrigation methods.
The extraction of salt, which once distinguished the area and was a key natural resource, has ceased due to the dangers that threaten workers in the saltworks, according to testimonies from local villagers. The halt of this historical activity has deepened the local economic fragility.
Malahat Oulad Amkoudou is awaiting comprehensive development that includes road infrastructure, educational institutions, healthcare services, and support for local agriculture. The goal is to improve living conditions and curb the rising migration waves, as demanded by residents and conveyed by civil society groups in the area.
Source: Fes News Media
