HM King Mohammed VI Chairs a Working Session on the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation

« His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, chaired, today at the Royal Palace in Rabat, a working session devoted to monitoring the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation 2020-2027.

This meeting falls within the framework of the interest and the High Solicitude accorded by His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, to the strategic question of water, which was in particular the subject of important Royal Guidelines contained in the Opening Speech of Parliament, last October, and three working sessions chaired by the Sovereign.

During this session, the Minister of Equipment and Water, Mr. Nizar Baraka, made a presentation to the Sovereign on the water situation and the progress of the implementation of the various components of this program.

Thus, in accordance with the High Royal Instructions aimed at accelerating this Program and updating its consistency, a significant additional investment has been granted to it, bringing its overall budget to 143 billion dirhams. It was particularly underlined in this context:

– the acceleration of the interconnection project of the hydraulic basins of Sebou, Bouregreg and Oum Er-Rbia, with the current construction of the urgent section of this interconnection over 67 km;

– the programming of new dams and the updating of the costs of around twenty planned dams, thus making it possible to increase the storage capacity of 6.6 billion m3 of fresh water;

– the acceleration of projects for the mobilization of unconventional water, through the programming of seawater desalination stations and the increase in capacity for the reuse of treated wastewater;

– strengthening the supply of drinking water in rural areas, by extending coverage to more douars and by strengthening the logistical and human resources mobilized.

Furthermore, and in view of the climatic and water situation having again had a negative impact, this year, on the progress of the agricultural campaign and the availability of pastures, His Majesty the King, may God assist him, has given His High Instructions to the government to activate, as in the previous year, the emergency measures of the Program to combat the effects of drought.

Finally, the Sovereign urged the departments and bodies concerned to double their vigilance in this vital area and to demonstrate efficiency in carrying out the projects programmed according to the established schedule.

This working meeting took place in the presence of the Head of Government, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, the Adviser to HM the King, Mr. Fouad Ali El Himma, the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Abdelouafi Laftit, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mrs. Nadia Fettah, the Minister for Equipment and Water, Mr. Nizar Baraka, the Minister for Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Mrs. Leila Benali, and the Director of National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, Mr. Abderrahim El Hafidi ».