Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Morocco King Slams Development Delays in Al-Hoceima | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55377436
Caption:

Thousands rally in the northern town of Al-Hoceima months after a fishmonger was crushed to death inside a garbage truck as he tried to retrieve fish confiscated by the police May 18, 2017. (Reuters)


London – Morocco King Mohammed VI has expressed his anger and concern over failure to implement a development program in the port area of Al-Hoceima.

In a statement on Sunday, the king voiced his discontent with the slow pace of development projects, which fall within the framework of his “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean” initiative.

The program, which was signed in October 2015, was aimed at launching investments into a region that has seen several protests over unemployment and perceived state neglect.

The Moroccan king instructed the ministers of finance and interior to assign the Territorial Administration and the Inspectorate General of Finance with conducting research and investigation into the failure to execute the program and determining the parties to be held accountable.

King Mohammed chaired on Sunday a cabinet session at the royal palace in Casablanca. It was the first session of its kind since the formation of the government led by Prime Minister Saadeddine al-Othmani in March.

The king also cancelled the annual leave of ministers involved in the program so they could follow up on its progress.

The concerned ministries include the ministry of agriculture and maritime fishing, ministry of national education and vocational training, ministry of health, ministry of youth and sports, ministry of transport, ministry of tourism, ministry of culture, ministry of housing and city policy, ministry of environment and the ministry of water.

The king also stressed the need to avoid the “politicization of social and development projects or their exploitation for narrow political purposes”.

Meanwhile, King Mohammed appointed new ambassadors to 12 different states, including an ambassador to Saudi Arabia and another to the United Nations in Geneva.

The appointment of new ambassadors came in accordance with Article N. 49 of the constitution and by recommendation of the head of government and initiative from the minister of foreign affairs.