Achraf Ahmed Fakhri, Secretary General for Regional Affairs, oversaw this morning at the Laayoune Wilaya headquarters the election session for the president and members of the executive board of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Regional Territorial Groups Council.
This council comprises 49 members representing all provincial councils and territorial groups in the region. It will manage vital sectors including electricity distribution, water supply, and liquid sanitation in urban and rural areas, replacing the National Office for Electricity and Water in these specific competencies and management tasks.
In this regard, the closed election session resulted in the formation of the executive board, where Mansour Lembarki was elected president of the “Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Distribution” group, while Moulay Hamdi Ould Errachid was chosen as first vice-president, Moulay Brahim Cherif as second vice-president, Asmaa Aouba as third vice-president, and Aba El Bachir as fourth vice-president. Additionally, Moulay Moussaoui was appointed secretary of the council, and Moulay Ragheb Zio as deputy secretary.
Mansour Lembarki, hailing from the Dcheira territorial commune, is considered one of the young political figures who has held several important positions in the region. He was previously elected as the youngest parliamentarian in the history of the House of Representatives and served as general rapporteur for the Interior and City Policy Committee in Parliament, in addition to his current duties as Chief of Staff to the President of the House of Councillors, Mohamed Ould Errachid, and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Istiqlal Party.
Regulatory Framework
Under Organic Law No. 113.14 relating to communes and Law 112.14 concerning prefectures and provinces, the “Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Distribution” group was established as a legal entity with financial independence, with the aim of overseeing the management of water, electricity, and liquid sanitation distribution facilities, with a focus on enhancing the supply of basic services to rural areas.
The group will also manage and operate services related to these sectors, including performing the duties of the facility owner in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 83.21 relating to multi-service regional companies. This includes overseeing human resources, real estate, and movable assets associated with the facility within the territorial jurisdiction of the concerned communes.
The council consists of 49 members, the number of which was determined by a decision from the Ministry of the Interior. The group's board, consisting of the president and four vice-presidents, oversees executive tasks, while member communes are required to contribute financially to cover the costs of the facility's activities. Real estate and movable assets associated with the facility are allocated to the group to ensure the continuity of services.
According to the law, the group was established for an indefinite period. Agreements concluded with the communes enter into force after approval by the Ministry of the Interior. The group is entrusted with the responsibility of fulfilling contractual obligations related to the facilities, while respecting the applicable regulations and procedures.
Strengthening Trust
Following his election as president of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Regional Territorial Groups Council, Mansour Lembarki expressed his pride in the trust placed in him by the council members, emphasizing that “this stage represents a qualitative step towards strengthening the collective management of vital services at the regional level, in a way that achieves the aspirations of the population”.
In a statement to Hespress, Lembarki indicated that “the new council seeks to achieve a radical transformation in the management and development of water, electricity, and liquid sanitation distribution sectors, in line with national trends to enhance local governance and develop infrastructure”.
The Chief of Staff to the President of the House of Councillors explained that the group will work to ensure the continuity of basic services and expand their scope to include all rural areas in the region through effective partnerships with various local actors and national institutions, adding that “priorities include developing a modern and integrated distribution network that meets the requirements of the population, with special attention to environmental sustainability and achieving a balance between economic and social development”.
In concluding his interview with Hespress, the council president affirmed his commitment to working on strengthening cooperation between member communes to ensure optimal coordination in implementing programmed projects, stressing the importance of openness to the population for constant communication regarding efforts made and challenges faced, which contributes to building mutual trust and enhances the group's ability to achieve its development goals.
It is worth noting that the “Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Distribution” group is expected to begin its duties after holding an upcoming extraordinary session to approve its statutes and study the management contract, with a view to the regional multi-service company officially commencing its duties.
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