2024-05-01 10:38:37
Held in the presence of the wali of the Oriental region, governor of the prefecture of Oujda-Angad, Mouaad Jamai, as well as the governors of the provinces of Nador, Driouch and Boulemane, this Board of Directors was devoted to the approval of the Agency’s accounts for the year 2022 and examination of the results of its action, as well as the progress of the implementation of its 2023 program, in addition to the presentation of its program action for the year 2024.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Faresa indicated that the Board of Directors of the Moulouya Hydraulic Basin Agency is taking place in an exceptional climatic situation, marked by low rainfall, adding that this situation has had repercussions on the water resources and consequently on the supply of drinking and irrigation water in the Oriental region like the rest of the regions of the Kingdom.
Mr. Fares stressed that as part of the emergency action plan presented to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, during the working meeting held on January 16, 2024, the government is working to develop a set of emergency measures and structuring projects to ensure water security.
After reviewing the great achievements of the Kingdom in the field of water, he recalled that thanks to all its achievements supported by the continuous updating of the water policy, Morocco was able to overcome episodes of drought that the majority of hydraulic basins have experienced.
He also indicated that the past year was marked in the Moulouya Basin by the continuation of work on the raising of the Mohammed V dam in the province of Nador, to reach a capacity of approximately one billion cubic meters. This project will ensure the sustainability of drinking water supply and irrigation as well as the production of electrical energy.
The past year also saw the continuation of work on the construction of the Targa Ou Madi dam in the province of Guercif, with a storage capacity of 287 million cubic meters. This project will provide drinking water supply, irrigation and flood protection.
It also involves the continuation of work on the construction of the Beni Azimane dam in the province of Driouch, with a storage capacity of 44 million cubic meters. This work will provide protection against flooding for the towns of Driouch and Midar as well as the supply of drinking water and irrigation.
Mr. Fares noted that during the hydrological year 2022-2023, the precipitation deficit was estimated at 30% compared to the annual average, noting that this situation had a negative impact on water supplies at the level of the dams in this basin which recorded a deficit estimated at 26% compared to the annual average. Thus, the filling rate of the dam reservoirs in this basin was estimated at 25% as of April 29, 2024.
Thus, to deal with the lack of water in this region, the secretary general explained that the ABHM, through partnerships with all regional and local stakeholders, has taken the necessary measures.
These measures, he specified, concern in particular the water supply to the provinces of Nador, Driouch and Berkane, totally or partially from the sources of Moulay Ali and Ouled Settout, the installation of floating barges at the level of the dam Machraa Hommadi in addition to the maintenance of the supply pipes between the Mohammed V dam and the towns of Oujda and Taourirt, which made it possible to save more than one million m3 of water.
Other measures have been taken such as reducing the pressure of drinking water and banning water-consuming crops as well as the use of tank trucks and mobile stations for the demineralization of brackish water, with a view to to support the supply of drinking water to populations in rural areas.
Furthermore, the granting of well digging authorizations is temporarily suspended in areas where such operations can negatively impact wells used for the supply of drinking water. Added to this is the strengthening of water police controls and the intensification of awareness campaigns on water saving.
In parallel with these measures, Mr. Fares stressed that the government is looking into the implementation of structuring programs in the Moulouya basin, in particular the programming of the construction of a seawater desalination station in the province of Nador, for the supply of drinking water to the Oriental region and the irrigation of lower Moulouya.
It also involves the continuation of drilling equipment in order to mobilize additional water resources and meet the growing needs for drinking water, particularly in rural areas, in addition to the programming of the construction of 29 small dams to support the promotion local, the development of small hydropower as well as protection against flooding. The maintenance of 06 small dams is planned among the dams scheduled for the first phase.
He also cited the completion of projects for the reuse of treated wastewater for watering green spaces and golf courses in Nador, Taourirt, Jerada, Oujda and Berkane.
Furthermore, the work of this Council was marked by the adoption of the draft Master Plan for the Development of Water Resources in the Moulouya Basin.
Likewise, 06 partnership agreements were adopted. These agreements concern the areas of protection against flooding, the desilting of a dam, the treatment of liquid waste from olive crushing units and the reuse of purified wastewater, as well as the modernization and strengthening of the hydrological measurement network. of the Moulouya basin.
In addition, 04 concession contracts for water withdrawal and the operation of water boreholes were approved.
2024-05-01 10:38:37