Al Amal Square in Jerada was the scene of a large fair commemorating the National Day of the Migrant, established in 2003 and celebrated on 10 August each year. An event to pay tribute to the 4.5 million Moroccans of the world for their participation in the development of their country of origin and for its influence at the international level.
The entertainment village of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has been open since 1 August for a month of activities for the city's children. Occupying an area of 2,000 m², the village is filled with inflatables, trampolines, and has stands for games and manual work. A stage is set up within the village grounds for shows and performances. No fewer than 400 children are received daily, a number expected to reach more than 500 in the coming days.
On the sidelines of this occasion, an artistic evening was organised by the ONEE with the participation of young local talents as the curtain raiser. On the bill were traditional singing groups and artists from the region. Also taking part were Abdelmalek El Marjani and the famous troupe Over Boys Original, both semi-finalists of the show "Arabs got talent". Regarding Abdelmalek Marjani, he participated with Najwa Karam in her penultimate music video. Also on the menu were breakdance shows that thrilled the large crowds in Al Amal Square, which thus experienced a memorable evening, commemorating as it should this Day dedicated to our valiant migrants.
It should be noted that this is not the ONEE's first civic action, having developed an entire annual programme that includes varied and targeted activities. In the case of Jerada, the goal is to create a socio-cultural and artistic dynamic in this city, which is beginning to rise from its ashes after the closure of the anthracite mine in 2001. In the pipeline are socio-educational projects, including a local sports centre, spaces for children, and the strengthening of infrastructure for primary schools in the region.
This social vitality is accompanied by an economic dynamic led by the Office, which has proceeded to strengthen the electricity production tool. Indeed, colossal investments have been undertaken by the Office for the expansion of its thermal power plants, which has allowed Jerada to position itself as an important supplier of electricity, with a market share of 7%, expected to increase by 2017 to reach 20% thanks to the megaproject currently under construction, which is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs.
By commemorating this Day, the ONEE intends to contribute its stone to the building in order to further strengthen the umbilical cord that connects Moroccans of the world to their homeland. Much progress has been made in terms of facilitating procedures and involving our fellow citizens of the world in political life, thus responding to the call of H.M. King Mohammed VI in a previous speech on the occasion of the Feast of the Throne. The Sovereign had called for the implementation of the provisions of the Constitution relating to the integration of representatives of members of the Moroccan community abroad into
consultative institutions and bodies of governance and participatory democracy.
