فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Taounate – Statements made by officials from the National Rally of Independents (RNI) party during a meeting organized by the party in the Tissa commune of Taounate Province on Sunday, November 30, 2025, sparked widespread controversy on social media, with activists accusing the party of resorting to misinformation to promote inaccurate achievements. The controversy centers around calling on residents to thank the Prime Minister and party leader, Aziz Akhannouch, for his role in constructing National Road No. 8 extending between Fes and Taounate, which critics considered an attempt to claim credit for an achievement dating back to an earlier period.
Document Reveals Project Facts
According to an image of a document circulated on social media platforms, the National Road No. 8 project was officially launched during the government of Saad Eddine El Othmani in 2021. The document indicates that the project witnessed significant progress at that time, with the completion rate reaching approximately 80% by December 2021, at a total cost estimated at around 50 million dirhams. The documents confirm that work actually began in the years prior to the current government assuming its responsibilities, meaning that the organizational and financial framework for the project was established before the start of the current government’s term under Akhannouch’s leadership.
Sharp Criticism from Activists
This context sparked a wave of criticism, with activists considering that the party is building its political discourse on “lies” and “misleading” residents, believing that the completion rate being promoted is attributable to the efforts of previous governments. One activist questioned via a post on X: “Does a party that relies on these methods deserve citizens’ trust and votes?”, indicating that such practices reflect a lack of transparency and exploit residents’ ignorance of project details. Others also called for comparing the alleged achievements with the facts of projects that were completed or begun under previous governments.
Visit Context and Reactions
The meeting came within the framework of the ninth stop of the “Path of Achievements” tour led by the National Rally of Independents party in the Fes-Meknes region, where Akhannouch reviewed a series of development projects he claims to support. However, criticism focused on what some considered “political exploitation” of projects that were not a direct result of the current government. Observers noted that such statements may reinforce doubts about the credibility of official discourse, especially given the economic and social challenges facing residents.
Current Status of the Project
By December 2025, National Road No. 8 still constitutes an important axis for connecting the provinces of Fes and Taounate, but field reports indicate that development and maintenance work continues, with challenges related to financing and the lack of supporting infrastructure in some areas. The question remains about the extent of the current government’s contribution to completing the project, especially since documents indicate that the basic framework was established before 2021.
This issue remains a subject of debate, with activists calling for an investigation into funding sources and the actual achievements of each phase of the project, considering that transparency is necessary to evaluate the government’s performance rather than settling for political speeches.
