HIBAPRESS – Abdel Latif Barka
In a move aimed at addressing the recurring complaints of the residents of Anza and neighboring areas, the Wali of Souss-Massa region and Governor of Agadir-Ida Outanan Province, Saïd Amzazi, chaired a meeting on Thursday, October 15th, at the governorate headquarters. The meeting was dedicated to discussing the repercussions of emissions and foul odors emanating from some industrial units, particularly fishmeal production plants, and the environmental damage and impact on citizens' health and quality of life, as well as its effect on Agadir's tourist appeal.
The meeting was attended by the President of the Souss-Massa Regional Council, the Vice President of the Agadir Municipality, along with representatives of local authorities, technical departments, and industrial stakeholders.
During the meeting, the Wali stressed the necessity for all parties to assume their responsibilities and adhere to environmental and legal obligations within the specified deadlines, while subjecting the concerned units to regular monitoring to ensure the rectification of irregularities and prevent the transfer of their negative impacts to other areas.
In this context, it was decided to urgently dispatch a specialized technical committee to the concerned factories in the Anza area to assess their environmental situation and determine the necessary measures and works to mitigate the damage threatening the residential environment. It was also emphasized that industrial units are obligated to regularize their legal and environmental status, equip themselves with systems for treating wastewater, emissions, and odors, and to activate legal measures which may include closure and license revocation in case of continued non-compliance.
The most prominent outcome of the meeting is the move towards the final relocation of the targeted industrial units from Anza to the industrial zone in Drargah, within a maximum period of one year, in accordance with the commitments stipulated in the accompanying agreement concluded in this regard. This decision marks a new phase in addressing the issue of industrial pollution in the area, amidst the residents' aspirations for concrete measures that end their suffering and protect the environment and public health, without compromising the requirements of economic and industrial development in the region.
