Significant Investments in Infrastructure and Development
The Fes-Meknes Regional Council convened an extraordinary session in Fes on Wednesday, where it approved nine partnership agreements aimed at implementing various developmental projects. Among these initiatives is the construction of a major stadium in Meknes, which has a total financial allocation of nearly 600 million dirhams. This project is particularly significant as Morocco prepares to host the 2030 World Cup, and it will enhance the region's infrastructure and attractiveness.
The partnership agreement for the stadium's construction involves multiple stakeholders: the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports will contribute 150 million dirhams, while the Fes-Meknes region will provide 100 million dirhams. Additional contributions include 10 million dirhams from the Meknes Prefectural Council, 30 million dirhams from the Meknes Municipality, 10 million dirhams from the Michouar Municipality, and a substantial 300 million dirhams from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. This agreement clearly delineates the contributions of the various signatories and outlines the general conditions for the stadium's management and operation.
During an interview with the Moroccan News Agency, the President of the Fes-Meknes Regional Council, Abdel Wahid Ansari, emphasized that this sports facility will provide significant added value to the region, particularly in light of Morocco's preparations to welcome several participating teams for the World Cup. He described the stadium project as a new leverage point in the ongoing developmental initiatives across the region.
Enhancing Professional Training and Rural Infrastructure
In addition to the stadium project, the council approved a partnership agreement to develop a vocational training institute in the field of construction and public works in Fes. This agreement, which has been modified from one previously adopted in July 2025, now designates the Ministry of Equipment and Water as the project owner instead of the National Federation of Construction and Public Works. The total cost of this project is estimated at 14 million dirhams, with the regional council contributing 9.8 million dirhams and the Ministry contributing 4.2 million dirhams.
Furthermore, the council members agreed on a project to construct a road leading to the Ras El-Ma logistics area in the Moulay Yacoub region, aimed at improving accessibility and facilitating the movement of goods in this economic zone. The total cost of this project is 30 million dirhams, with the region contributing approximately 25 million dirhams and the Ain Chkef Municipality, as the project owner, contributing 5 million dirhams.
The council also ratified an agreement focusing on the rehabilitation and paving of rural roads in the Taounate region, under the regional development program and initiatives aimed at reducing social and spatial disparities, with a total financial envelope approaching 20 million dirhams. Additionally, the council approved an amendment to a partnership agreement aimed at acquiring and providing transportation and logistical equipment for the Royal Gendarmerie in the Fes-Meknes region, which now also includes the establishment of a new gendarmerie barracks in Ifran. The overall cost for this initiative stands at 20 million dirhams, divided between 6 million dirhams for transport acquisition and 14 million dirhams for the new barracks.
Moreover, the council sanctioned a partnership agreement to construct a new prison facility in the province of Sefrou, with a capacity of 1,000 beds, costing around 120 million dirhams. Contributions will come from the regional council, the Sefrou provincial council, the Sefrou Municipality, and the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration, with the regional council contributing 30 million dirhams and the delegation contributing 60 million dirhams, while the remaining partners will share a contribution of 30 million dirhams.
In an effort to enhance environmental monitoring, a special agreement was also approved to strengthen the air quality monitoring network in the Fes-Meknes region, with a financial allocation of 8 million dirhams. This initiative is part of the national air quality monitoring program for 2020-2030, aiming to increase the number of air quality measurement stations in the region from nine to fifteen by 2030. Furthermore, the council endorsed a project to enhance and expand the area for traditional craft activities in Benjlik, with a total budget of nearly 58 million dirhams, contributing 38 million dirhams from the region alongside support from the State Secretariat responsible for traditional crafts.
Finally, in the health sector, the council approved financial allocations to support and enhance health services in hospitals across various provinces within the region. This initiative aims to improve healthcare delivery, bring medical services closer to citizens, and enhance the overall quality of health care to better meet the community’s needs. The President of the Fes-Meknes Regional Council concluded that this extraordinary session was marked by the approval of "rich and structured projects" that will significantly improve the living conditions of citizens and enhance the region's economic, tourism, and social competitiveness, aligning with the developmental dynamics of the various provinces and prefectures in the region.
As reported by tanja7.com.
