HIBAPRESS – Mohammed Zerriouh
Traders at Oulad Mimoun market in the city of Nador are experiencing a state of intense anxiety and anticipation, following the emergence of vague signs and indications that the municipal commune is close to commencing renovation works on the market.
This ambiguity surrounding the project has sparked widespread discontent among professionals, due to the absence of any official communication channels revealing details of the deal, the nature of the expected reforms, and the entity that will undertake their implementation. This has created an information vacuum that has fostered real fears for the future of their sole source of livelihood.
This legitimate concern comes in light of the traders' continuous tax commitments, as they regularly pay various dues to the commune's treasury, which instills in them a sense of entitlement to transparent treatment and information, as is the case in other major Moroccan cities.
The affected parties are demanding that the communal council break its silence and provide precise and detailed clarifications that dispel ambiguity and accurately define the features of this development project, which concerns a vital commercial sector in the heart of the city.
The traders' primary demands are centered on the transparent disclosure of the parties responsible for the deal, questioning the name of the company tasked with execution and the contractor who will oversee the renovation works on the ground.
They also emphasize the necessity of precisely determining the budget allocated for the project and knowing the total financial envelope designated for the market's rehabilitation, to ensure transparency and combat any interpretations that might exacerbate the existing tension and unrest.
The professionals' questions are not limited to technical and financial aspects alone, but extend to the temporal dimension of the project's implementation. They are demanding to know the specific timeframe for completing the works and resuming normal commercial activities.
The traders assert that knowing the precise timeline helps them in proactive planning and avoiding the substantial losses that could result from a sudden halt or potential falter in the works during the execution stages.
Market stakeholders stress the need to reveal the nature of the partnership between the communal council and other parties involved in the project, along with disclosing details of the planned engineering and organizational blueprint.
They believe that involving professionals and informing them of future designs and directions is a fundamental step to ensure the success of any reform initiative and avoid the management errors that accompanied similar projects in other regions.
This file carries significant social dimensions, given that Oulad Mimoun market constitutes the economic artery from which hundreds of families in the city derive their sustenance, with thousands of citizens relying directly or indirectly on the daily commercial activity in this space.
Consequently, any unclear management procedures could threaten the livelihood stability of these families, thereby multiplying the responsibility of elected councils in providing guarantees to protect the rights of traders and local residents.
Amidst these developments, the traders of Oulad Mimoun market reiterate their urgent appeal to the elected and local authorities to open channels of serious and responsible dialogue, and to involve professional representatives in all stages of planning and management.
Everyone emphasizes that the primary goal is not to obstruct the path of urban development, but rather to aspire to a genuine reform based on transparency and clarity, which preserves the interests of traders and enhances the services provided to customers and visitors of the market alike.
