Emphasizing Local Representation
Azziz Akhnouch, the leader of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), recently expressed his party's commitment to choosing candidates based on their close ties to the community. During a significant communication event held in Ouled Taima within the Taroudant region, he praised Nadia Boudlal's decision to run for local rather than regional representation for women. Akhnouch recounted that while they initially encouraged Boudlal to seek a position on the regional women's list, she firmly declined, asserting, "I am the daughter of Haj Boudlal, and the people know me; they should vote for me," thus opting for the local list.
He fondly recalled Haj Boudlal as a close friend and ally during his tenure as the president of the Souss-Massa-Drâa region in 2003, emphasizing the significant support he provided throughout his political career. Akhnouch also pointed out that the regional women's list is chaired by Zakia Driouch, alongside other capable women who understand the challenges faced by the impoverished and are committed to advocating for their rights in parliament.
Water Management and Agricultural Projects
In addressing the critical issue of water resources, Akhnouch underscored the strategic importance of various projects implemented under his ministry, particularly the Oulouz project and the water transport initiative aimed at irrigating the Kurdane area, which he claimed revitalized the region. He highlighted the crucial role of the seawater desalination plant in Chichoua Ait Baha, stating, "Without this plant, the Sousse region would have faced severe water shortages for the past three years." Furthermore, he unveiled plans for a new desalination facility in the Mase region, which will benefit the cities of Tiznit and Taroudant, allowing for the irrigation of thousands of hectares of farmland. This development aims to ensure that agricultural production is no longer dependent solely on rainfall, and studies for the project have already commenced with construction expected to begin soon.
Akhnouch defended his government's track record, asserting that it has taken on significant responsibilities during challenging times marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted tourism and employment opportunities, coupled with the global inflation triggered by the ongoing war in Ukraine, and a series of drought years along with the Al Haouz earthquake. Despite these adversities, he stated that the government remained committed to implementing its agenda, which prominently includes direct social support initiatives and the expansion of health coverage benefiting four million families, with the state covering their contributions to the National Social Security Fund. He noted that beneficiaries of the "Amo Tadamun" program now have the option to receive treatment in both public and private sectors, which was previously unavailable, even citing cases where surgical procedures exceeding 200,000 dirhams were covered entirely by the state.
Moreover, he mentioned a 20% increase in the minimum wage in the industrial sector and a 25% increase in the agricultural sector, alongside a general wage hike for public sector employees, emphasizing that these achievements were realized without compromising macroeconomic balances, which he believes will benefit future generations.
In his closing remarks, Akhnouch reaffirmed the organizational strength of his party within the Taroudant region, emphasizing that they lead half of the territorial communities, which he described as a significant accomplishment. He urged party members to remain focused on their goals and not to be distracted by dissenters, stating, "Stay on the right path; those who succeed are often the targets of criticism. Move forward and let them attack."
As reported by agadirinfo.ma.
