The Governor of the Marrakech-Safi region, Khalid Lahbil, has demonstrated a strong commitment to implementing the Interior Minister's directives regarding the fight against illegal construction. This was evident on Tuesday morning when the governor urgently dispatched a committee to the famous Café France, located in the heart of Jemaa El-Fnaa square.
The committee discovered blatant violations as the café owners took advantage of the Eid al-Fitr holiday to add and cover an upper floor, a clear breach of urban planning laws. This transgression is particularly egregious given that UNESCO has designated the square as intangible cultural heritage, which must be preserved without alteration. The café owners, however, failed to respect this designation.
The prompt and decisive action taken by Governor Lahbil comes at a time when local authorities in the administrative precinct of Bab Doukkala appear to be in a deep slumber, highlighting the governor's awareness of every detail within the realm of urban planning. Following the committee's on-site assessment, it was decided to halt the construction and remove the illegally erected columns, awaiting the issuance of a violation notice and the imposition of legal penalties.
Any changes to the square must be closely monitored, as Marrakech must remain true to its identity. The governor's swift intervention has been praised for maintaining the beauty of Jemaa El-Fnaa and enforcing compliance with UNESCO’s classification. Exploiting holidays to carry out illegal construction is unacceptable, and cafés must adhere to regulations.
Local authorities need to be vigilant and not complacent, as preserving heritage is a collective responsibility. This intervention reflects a serious commitment to combating chaos in urban development. It is a positive decision that sets a precedent for others, emphasizing that illegal construction must cease across all cities. The significance of Jemaa El-Fnaa on a global scale cannot be overstated.
As reported by ar.hibapress.com.
