Fes-Meknes Council Greenlights Strategic Partnerships for Community Development
During an extraordinary session held on Wednesday in Fes, the Fes-Meknes Regional Council approved nine partnership agreements aimed at executing significant developmental projects, most notably the construction of a large stadium in the city of Meknes, with an overall budget nearing 600 million dirhams. This ambitious project is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, including the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, which will contribute 150 million dirhams, alongside the Fes-Meknes region contributing 100 million dirhams, the Meknes Prefectural Council with 10 million dirhams, the Meknes municipality with 30 million dirhams, and the El Mechouar municipality with 10 million dirhams. The Moroccan Royal Football Federation is set to play a pivotal role by contributing a substantial 300 million dirhams towards this initiative.
The partnership agreement outlines the financial contributions of each party involved in the stadium's construction, as well as the general terms related to its management and operation. The Moroccan Royal Football Federation has been designated as the project owner, with the National Agency for Public Equipment entrusted with the role of delegated project owner.
In a statement to the Moroccan News Agency, Abdelwahid Ansari, President of the Fes-Meknes Regional Council, emphasized that this sports facility will significantly enhance the region, especially in light of Morocco's preparations to host the 2030 World Cup finals. He noted that Fes-Meknes is poised to welcome several participating teams, making this project a vital addition to the various developmental efforts underway in the region.
Investment in Vocational Training and Infrastructure
In the realm of vocational training, the council also approved a partnership agreement to develop a training institute focused on construction and public works in Fes, incorporating modifications to a previously ratified agreement from the July 2025 session. This revised agreement assigns the role of project owner to the Ministry of Equipment and Water instead of the National Union of Construction and Public Works. The total cost of this venture 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.
Additionally, members of the council consented to a project agreement for the construction of a road leading to the Ras El Ma logistics area in the Moulay Yacoub region, aimed at enhancing accessibility and improving the flow of movement in this economic area. The total estimated cost for this project stands at 30 million dirhams, with the region contributing approximately 25 million dirhams, while the Ain Schkaf municipality, as the project owner, will contribute 5 million dirhams.
To further bolster rural infrastructure, the council approved a specific agreement focusing on the development and paving of access roads in the Taza region, as part of the regional development program and other initiatives aimed at reducing spatial and social disparities, with a total financial allocation nearing 20 million dirhams.
Moreover, the council endorsed an amendment to a partnership agreement aimed at procuring transport means and logistical equipment for the Royal Gendarmerie in the Fes-Meknes region, which will now also include the establishment of a gendarmerie barracks in Ifrane. The total budget for this project is set at 20 million dirhams, with 6 million dirhams allocated for transport acquisition for the regional gendarmerie command in Fes, and 14 million dirhams dedicated to the development of the new barracks in Ifrane.
Furthermore, the council approved a project agreement for the construction of a new prison facility in the province of Sefrou, with a capacity of up to one thousand beds, at an overall cost nearing 120 million dirhams. This project will be supported by contributions from the regional council, the provincial council of Sefrou, the municipality of Sefrou, and the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration.
In the environmental sector, the council ratified a specific agreement to enhance the air quality monitoring network in the Fes-Meknes region, with a financial allocation of 8 million dirhams, as part of the implementation of the national air quality monitoring program for 2020-2030 and the second phase of the project to strengthen the monitoring network in the region. This initiative aims to increase the number of air quality measurement stations from the current nine to 15 by the year 2030.
Moreover, the council approved a specialized agreement for the valuation and expansion of the artisanal industry activity area in Benjellil, including the creation of access roads, with a total financial allocation approaching 58 million dirhams, in which the region will contribute 38 million dirhams along with the state secretary responsible for traditional crafts.
This project aims to improve working conditions for artisans and professionals in the area, expand the space designated for handicraft activities, facilitate access and mobility, and enhance the competitiveness of traditional products in the region.
In the health sector, the council has allocated financial resources to support and enhance healthcare services in hospitals across various provinces of the region, contributing to strengthening health offerings, bringing medical services closer to citizens, and improving healthcare quality to better meet the needs of the population.
President Ansari concluded that the extraordinary session was marked by the approval of “rich and structured projects” that will contribute to improving the living conditions of citizens, enhancing the region's attractiveness, and boosting its economic, tourist, and social competitiveness, aligning with the developmental dynamics experienced across the different provinces and labor areas of the region.
As reported by kifache.com.
