The Fès-Meknès Regional Council convened for an extraordinary session on Wednesday in Fès, where it approved nine partnership agreements aimed at executing significant developmental projects. Foremost among these initiatives is the construction of a large stadium in the city of Meknès, with a total budget approaching 600 million dirhams. This monumental project represents a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, which will contribute 150 million dirhams, the Fès-Meknès region contributing 100 million dirhams, the Meknès Prefectural Council with 10 million dirhams, and the municipality of Meknès with 30 million dirhams, along with the municipality of Mechouar contributing another 10 million dirhams. Notably, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation is set to provide the largest share, amounting to 300 million dirhams.
The agreement meticulously outlines the contributions from each party involved in the construction of the stadium in Meknès, alongside general management and operational conditions. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has been designated as the project owner, while the National Agency for Public Equipment has been entrusted with the delegated project management responsibilities.
In a statement to the Moroccan News Agency, Abdul Wahid Al-Ansari, the President of the Fès-Meknès Regional Council, emphasized that this sports facility will serve as a significant asset for the region, particularly as Morocco prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030. He noted that the Fès-Meknès region is set to welcome several participating national teams, making this project a vital addition to the various developmental agendas currently underway in the area.
In terms of vocational training, the council also approved a partnership agreement aimed at enhancing the training institute for construction and public works in Fès. This agreement underwent modifications from the one previously adopted in July 2025, including the transfer of project ownership to the Ministry of Equipment and Water, replacing the National Federation of Construction and Public Works. The total cost of this initiative is estimated at 14 million dirhams, with contributions of 9.8 million dirhams from the regional council and 4.2 million dirhams from the Ministry of Equipment and Water.
Furthermore, council members endorsed a project agreement for the construction of a road leading to the Ras El Ma logistics area in the Moulay Yacoub region, aimed at improving accessibility and ensuring smoother traffic flow in this economic zone. The total cost of this project is around 30 million dirhams, with the region contributing approximately 25 million dirhams and the municipality of Ain Chkaf, as the project owner, contributing 5 million dirhams.
In a bid to bolster rural infrastructure, the council ratified a specific agreement concerning the preparation and paving of roads in the Taounate region. This initiative falls within the framework of the regional development program and aims to reduce social and spatial disparities, with a total financial envelope of nearly 20 million dirhams. Additionally, the council approved an amendment to a partnership agreement aimed at acquiring and providing transportation means and logistical equipment for the Royal Gendarmerie in the Fès-Meknès region, which now also includes the preparation of a gendarmerie barracks in Ifrane. The total estimated cost for this initiative is 20 million dirhams, distributed between 6 million dirhams allocated for transportation means for the regional gendarmerie and 14 million dirhams for the new barracks in Ifrane.
Moreover, council members also approved a partnership agreement for the construction of a new prison facility in the Sefrou region, designed to accommodate up to 1,000 inmates, at a total cost nearing 120 million dirhams. Contributions will come from the regional council, the Sefrou provincial council, the municipality of Sefrou, and the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration, with the regional council contributing 30 million dirhams and the General Delegation contributing 60 million dirhams, while the remaining partners will share a contribution of 30 million dirhams.
On the environmental front, the council ratified a special agreement to enhance the air quality monitoring network in the Fès-Meknès region, with a financial cost of 8 million dirhams. This project aims to complete the implementation of the national air quality monitoring program for the period 2020-2030 and to execute the second phase of the project to reinforce the monitoring network in the region. The initiative seeks to increase the number of air quality measurement stations in the region from the current nine to 15 by 2030.
In addition, the council approved a special agreement to upgrade and expand the traditional handicraft activity area in Benjlik and to construct an access road to it, with a total financial envelope of nearly 58 million dirhams, in which the region contributes 38 million dirhams along with the Ministry of Handicrafts. This project aims to enhance working conditions for artisans and professionals in the area, expand the space allocated for craft activities, facilitate access and mobility, and improve the competitiveness of traditional products in the region.
Regarding the health sector, the council approved financial allocations to support and improve healthcare services in hospitals across various provinces within the region. This initiative aims to strengthen healthcare offerings, bring medical services closer to citizens, improve the quality of healthcare, and better meet the needs of the local population.
President Abdul Wahid Al-Ansari highlighted that this extraordinary session was marked by the approval of "rich and structural" projects that will contribute significantly to improving the living conditions of citizens, enhancing the region's attractiveness, and boosting its economic, tourism, and social competitiveness, in line with the developmental dynamics across various provinces and prefectures of the region.
As reported by kifache.com.
