As part of the upgrading operation for the city of Meknes, major works affecting various aspects are underway in the four corners of the city.
The Ismaili city now takes on the appearance of an open-air construction site. Works are being undertaken here and there. The said works, unparalleled for a long time, were decided following the clear findings of the authorities. Given the state in which the city finds itself, eight commissions have been set up involving all the services concerned. The authority agents and the services of the urban commune have mobilised to supervise the upgrading operations aimed at restoring the reputation of the Ismaili city and helping it regain its former prestige.
Thus, the pruning of palm trees by stripping, the replacement of dead palm trees, the removal of overhead telephone lines, the renovation of facades, the elimination of potholes and other cracks on public roads are on the agenda of the works undertaken. Green spaces are not left out, and particular interest is being paid to the parks and gardens located in the four corners of the city, but whose state leaves something to be desired.
In this context, the Wali Mohamed Kadiri chaired an expanded meeting last week at the Habous Cultural and Administrative Complex. This is part of the preparation of an integrated development strategy that encompasses sectoral and local programmes and the combining of efforts for the development of Greater Meknes.
During this meeting, a picture of the ills from which the Ismaili capital suffers was painted, as well as the remedies capable of making Greater Meknes a dream city on all levels. It was noted that in the absence of a clear development vision shared between the various local actors, the territory of Greater Meknes found itself faced with several challenges, even though its assets and potential are limitless. Consequently, Meknes was losing its attractiveness and its capacity to create wealth and employment. Thus, the Development Plan for Greater Meknes covers the period 2015-2020. It encompasses priority actions to be carried out during the current year, as well as a medium-term action plan (2016-2020), with the development of an integrated development strategy within a framework of consultation and participation of all concerned actors. To do this, a think tank responsible for debating the subject and making proposals to enrich this Development Plan has been set up.
Thematic commissions bringing together representatives of external services have been set up to ensure the examination of the proposals of the councillors and civil society actors. In parallel, the hall of the Administrative and Cultural Complex of Islamic Affairs hosted a meeting during which the established think tanks were invited to present the proposals of civil society. These will be processed and taken into account by the thematic commissions which will finalise the design of a unified vision leading to the development of the Greater Meknes Development Plan by 2020.
