In-Depth Analysis of Fes Municipal Council’s Current Performance
During a Ramadan evening event, the "Future Association for Young Journalists" hosted several elected representatives from the Fes Municipal Council, who are currently part of the opposition. This gathering sparked an engaging discussion about the performance of the municipal council under the leadership of Mayor Abdel Salam Boukhali, especially concerning various pressing issues during this term. The session commenced with an inquiry regarding the council's performance since the elections held on September 8. Yasra Masqi, a councilor representing the Democratic Forces Front, emphasized that genuine development and change within any community must be founded on logical principles. She remarked that in Fes, the saying goes that “someone fell from the tent and emerged crooked,” which suggests that the council's current state is less than favorable.
Masqi elaborated by indicating that the primary observation regarding the council's performance relates to the manner in which the coalition was constructed. She argued that the council's output is largely contingent on the formation of this coalition, noting that the mayor now stands isolated without the support of his majority. She insisted that evaluation should not rest solely on the mayor but should encompass the coalition as a whole. Furthermore, she expressed that the council's achievements fall short of the aspirations of the people of Fes, highlighting the stark contrast between what has been realized and what remains unfulfilled in reality.
Additionally, she pointed out critical issues, such as public transport and cleanliness, which continue to pose significant challenges. Although a new company was brought in after dismissing the previous one, marginalized neighborhoods still lack adequate transportation options. Masqi stressed that any discussion about change must adopt a holistic approach, drawing attention to the inadequate infrastructure and other unresolved problems. She attributed these shortcomings to a lack of political advocacy and a missing boldness to “turn the tables.”
Concerns of Councilors Over Municipal Governance
Hakeem Ben Salama, a councilor from the Authenticity and Modernity Party, referred to the council's performance as “failed,” asserting that the council's results are “zero” across all levels. He contended that the citizens of Fes are best positioned to assess the council's effectiveness. According to him, if any Fes resident from the six districts were asked, they would express their dissatisfaction and frustration, confirming the council's failure to implement political programs effectively.
Similarly, Ali Lakassab, a councilor from the Progress and Socialism Party, echoed these sentiments by suggesting that the current assessment leads to a “zero score.” He characterized the council's management as inadequate, failing to meet anyone's expectations. Lakassab noted that several factors contributed to this unfavorable situation, highlighting the absence of clear programs from the coalition parties for the residents of Fes. He criticized the lack of substantive discussions regarding these programs, pointing out that the focus seemed to be more on gaining votes and dominance rather than on meaningful governance. He remarked that the 2021 elections occurred under well-known circumstances, and what presently exists in the political arena cannot truly be regarded as an elite group.
Moreover, he observed that the coalition formed after the elections did so without a contractual document or a clear program, instead relying on the distribution of positions and benefits with no developmental vision to address the community's needs. He also noted a significant lack of harmony within the coalition, highlighting that the opposition had successfully blocked the budget on multiple occasions with fifteen members. Lakassab criticized the absence of public dialogue and issues regarding the formulation of the council's work, mentioning that some tasks were outsourced to consulting firms at exorbitant prices.
Lastly, Mohamed Khayi, a councilor from the Justice and Development Party, asserted that the discourse should not solely focus on the current council's achievements but should also address the extent of corruption during this electoral term. He pointed out the numerous legal proceedings involving members of the ruling majority, which have negatively impacted political practices. Furthermore, he highlighted the disruption of essential services that citizens rely on, the stalling of the Fes municipal budget, and what he termed the “bureaucracy” that hampers development. Khayi expressed concern that the community has been deprived of basic rights, such as access to water and electricity, stating that residents often need to rely on intermediaries to obtain services from the council. He concluded that the recorded achievements are “zero” and suggested that the council’s best course of action would be to publicly apologize to the residents of Fes.
As reported by adyare.ma.
