As paradoxical as it may seem, the city of Mohammedia with its many assets has in all and for all only one office for the translation of various documents. The fact that there is only one sworn translator for all the inhabitants of the city of flowers raises many questions. Indeed, despite his efforts, the latter cannot meet the demands of more than 200,000 inhabitants.

"This strange situation generates problems that have negative repercussions on the inhabitants, who find themselves in an unenviable situation in case of need, in an emergency, to translate an administrative document. The high demand often generates slowness in the translation process," laments a mother. And to add: "No matter the costs, I am obliged to go to Casablanca where the offer is better developed. Thanks to the significant number of sworn translators established in the metropolis, one can obtain their translated document after a few hours."

The services concerned, specifies an associative actor, are called upon to resolve this problem by encouraging the establishment of more services specialised in translation in various languages. The objective is to overcome the deficit in the matter and to improve the services rendered to citizens, by simplifying the procedures for granting documents and other administrative papers. Indeed, it is high time that we take care of this aspect and that we carry out effective operations whose effects will have positive repercussions on the citizens. This will spare many of the inhabitants of Mohammedia from making the trip to Casablanca and paying significant costs for a service that costs, all in all, between 100 and 150 DH.

Another problem noted in Mohammedia concerns the delay in the modernisation and computerisation of certain administrations, notably the civil registry offices. Many citizens complain about the slowness of the services provided and the deficit in certain offices. A situation that accentuates the problems for obtaining documents. To this is added the aspect of skills in terms of local management. More worrying still, the other evils that make relations more tense between civil servants and citizens.

Most translation offices are neither endowed with qualified human resources, nor equipped with sufficient materials to meet the expectations of the inhabitants. "It must be recognised that there is an improvement in services compared to a few years ago, but this remains insufficient to meet the needs of a population in constant evolution, and thus to consolidate the principles of an administration at the service of citizens, capable of responding effectively to the expectations of one and all," concludes a teacher.

Urgent need for training

It is high time to carry out actions aimed at simplifying administrative procedures. Today, it is imperative to modernise and computerise civil registry offices, to equip them with all the adequate means so that they accompany the reforms initiated by our country. Nevertheless, and as specified by a municipal official, the essential element for good governance is undoubtedly training. In this sense, civil servants and civil registry agents must benefit from adequate training that will help them use computer tools. The strengthening of infrastructure and the equipping of offices will facilitate the management of files and will allow for more speed in their processing.

The monitoring and control of the services concerned are necessary to resolve certain conflicts.