Fes Council Opposition Voices Strong Disapproval
On April 7, 2026, members of the opposition parties within the Fes municipal council expressed their unequivocal rejection of Mayor Abdel Salam Boukali's initiative to establish a new bus station in the region of Moulay Yaqub. During a special session convened for this purpose, council members articulated their concerns, emphasizing that the proposed project contradicts the local services that municipal management is expected to uphold. This proposal has mobilized various political and professional entities in the Fes-Meknes region due to the potential economic and social repercussions of relocating such a critical facility to the rural area of Ain Chkef.
Concerns About Project Viability and Local Impact
The discussions held in the council's meeting room revealed a heated debate regarding the current council’s decision to utilize land outside the urban boundaries of Fes, which was seen as an attempt to bypass the problematic real estate issues associated with the existing bus station. Furthermore, opposition members raised concerns regarding the geographical implications of this decision and the lack of consultation with local professionals during the drafting of the partnership agreement with the Ain Chkef community. Observers of local affairs in Fes have warned that this project could suffer the same fate as similar initiatives in cities like Taza and Nador, cautioning against imposing additional costs on travelers while jeopardizing significant revenue for the Fes municipal budget.
The controversial nature of this step raises questions about whether sectoral plans align with the expectations of commuters and transport operators, particularly in light of criticisms from the Court of Auditors regarding the state of bus stations in the scientific capital. The opposition continues to highlight the absence of feasibility studies that adequately consider the socio-economic data relevant to the city. This ongoing debate reflects the broader struggle over how to manage public land and major facilities, and it is anticipated that political and professional pressures will lead to a reassessment of the project's location to ensure public order and protect the interests of citizens, steering clear of solutions that are distanced from the urban center.
As reported by alhakika24.com.
