2024-04-15 05:08:25
In response to a question about government policy in terms of managing the water shortage crisis, during a press briefing following the meeting of the Governing Council, Mr. Baïtas indicated that the Executive has undertaken a series of measures aimed at accelerating the pace of completion of planned projects having an impact in the medium term, through the construction of several dams and hydraulic basin interconnection projects.
These measures, he specified, are in addition to a series of actions and programs, such as the national program of seawater desalination stations, the program for the reuse of purified wastewater, the program of water saving at the level of drinking water supply and distribution networks, in addition to strengthening monitoring in the face of the water security challenge.
Mr. Baïtas recalled, in this sense, that the government has adopted a series of measures relating to water management in the short term, including the guarantee of the optimal mobilization of resources, particularly at the level of dams, wells and desalination plants, the establishment of emergency equipment for the transfer and supply of water, as well as measures to limit the use of irrigation water and the reduction of distribution flow if applicable.
The National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI) 2020-2027, carried out under the supervision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, for a total budget of 143 billion dirhams, aims to support the growing demand for water resources , to guarantee water security, to cope with the effects of climate change, to develop the water supply, and to strengthen the supply of drinking water in the rural world, he recalled.
Addressing the proactive measures taken to address the consequences of drought and to guarantee water supplies, Mr. Baïtas highlighted the actions initiated since December 2021 in coordination with all stakeholders, including basin interconnection projects. hydraulics, agreements relating to the construction of small dams and hill dams for a budget of 4.27 billion dirhams, as well as the signing of an agreement to support the supply of rural areas with drinking water for a cost of 4 .31 billion dirhams, benefiting 119 rural centers.
The minister also underlined that the urgent and complementary program for the supply of drinking water to rural areas concerns the distribution of tank trucks, the establishment of mobile seawater desalination stations, the acquisition of approximately 26 mobile stations to demineralize brackish water, in addition to the acquisition of floating barges to exploit the water reservoirs of dams.
He also focused on the achievements made in responding to the water shortage since October 2021, particularly the acceleration of the construction of large dams, noting that the start of the operation of the Oued dams Ghiss in Al Hoceima, M’dez in Sefrou, Koudiat El Berna in Sidi Kacem and Sakia El Hamra in Laâyoune is planned for this year. The construction of 13 large dams in progress will also be accelerated for an expected start of operation between 2025 and 2027, he concluded.
2024-04-15 05:08:25