Rising Concerns Over Illegal Construction in Ain Chkef
As reported by hespress.com, the commune of Ain Chkef, located in the Moulay Yacoub province, has witnessed a significant increase in illegal construction activities. Various neighborhoods, including Ouled Saleh, Ouled Kair, Ouled Ayad, Ouled Mohammed, Ouled Maaref, and Ouled Ydid, have transformed into open construction sites where buildings are being erected without the necessary legal permits. This surge in construction coincides with the upcoming legislative elections of 2026.
The same report highlights that these construction activities have been ongoing throughout the electoral campaign, blatantly disregarding urban planning standards and safety regulations. The buildings being constructed lack fundamental quality and safety standards, rendering them uninhabitable and posing direct threats to the lives of future residents.
According to community activists, these violations extend to land not classified as communal land, as well as the continued unauthorized digging of wells without prior approval from the relevant authorities. Local sources indicate that some candidates have resorted to illicit means to sway voters, enticing them with promises of building and housing permits, and expediting the issuance of electricity licenses that had previously been stalled for extended periods. This leniency towards violations raises serious ethical concerns ahead of the elections.
Infrastructure Challenges Amid Safety Concerns
In another development, the same publication reported that a section of National Road No. 27, linking Sidi Kacem to Bab Tisra, will be closed for two months starting September 30, 2026, due to rock removal and slope stabilization work. This closure adds extra costs to travel between Meknes and Sidi Kacem. While the closure is justified by safety measures, the ongoing construction raises questions that extend beyond the project duration: will the slope stabilization effectively resolve the issue of rockfalls at Bab Tisra, or will the route continue to require frequent interventions whenever the risk of falling rocks increases? The matter at hand is not just about reopening the section after the works are completed; it is about ensuring the continuity of this vital road link without it becoming a bottleneck.
On a different note, "Les Événements du Maroc" reported that Marrakech is preparing to host the eighth edition of the Marrakech International Airshow 2026 at the Royal Air Schools airbase in Marrakech. This event coincides with the tenth anniversary of this international event specialized in the aviation and defense sectors. The 2026 edition is expected to feature over 200 exhibitors from 27 countries, alongside the participation of official and professional delegations from several nations, marking it as an opportunity for some of the world's leading companies in aviation and defense to showcase their innovations.
Additionally, it was mentioned that in the province of Sefrou, no less than 27 areas have been opened for collective and tourism hunting, covering a vast area of approximately 60,000 hectares, as the hunting season for 2026-2027 has recently commenced, in line with the legal provisions governing this activity.
