Hibapress / Abdelkrim Mahyaoui
On September 15, 2024, the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) closed its rich awareness program for environmental protection and cultural, sporting and artistic activities for the benefit of summer visitors from Bouznika beach as part of the “Clean Beaches” program, managed by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection. In this context, ONEE ensured the daily cleaning of the beach and its environment throughout the 2024 summer season, with the installation of selective sorting bins as well as the cleaning of Oued SaikouK as part of of environmental protection. Also, in terms of the development and maintenance of the facilities, the Office has set up sanitary blocks, entertainment facilities, first aid centers, sky showers and showers at the beach. open, standpipes, etc. In the area of awareness-raising and education for sustainable development, ONEE has developed a rich awareness-raising program for environmental protection with emphasis on the main theme of this year, namely: “The fight against plastic pollution in the seas and oceans. As such, a major awareness-raising action on the recovery and recycling of plastic waste was carried out at Bouznika beach, including awareness-raising workshops, a major plastic waste collection campaign, selective sorting workshops, etc. In this regard, ONEE also carried out the action “Let’s preserve our coastline” in partnership with the association “Champions of Fnideq for Underwater Fishing and Environmental Protection” with the aim of raising awareness among young summer visitors to the harmful effects of plastic waste on the coast and the environment. This action included a range of educational and scientific activities, including awareness-raising presentations, scientific workshops on micro-plastic, a cleaning operation of the seabed of Bouznika by professional divers and an exhibition on the marine biodiversity of Bouznika …etc. Furthermore, the book was highlighted by ONEE in this year’s campaign through the establishment of a library at the Office’s entertainment village. This library, equipped with works on different particularly environmental themes, constitutes a space favoring summer visitors’ access to reading and allowing learning and education in sustainable development at Bouznika beach. Also, digital tablets have been set up at the library level for the benefit of summer visitors, allowing them access to a large digital library, in order to diversify ONEE’s educational tools at the beach level. With regard to water professions, the Office organized an introductory action to the water quality control profession for young summer visitors from Bouznika beach who benefited from awareness-raising presentations, and scientific activities including taking samples of bathing water, carrying out analyses, interpreting the results, etc. On this occasion, a scientific visit was made to the Central Laboratory of the Office at the Bouregreg complex of ONEE in Rabat, allowing these young summer visitors to benefit from practical workshops on the profession of water quality control . Also, and in partnership with the Royal Moroccan Federation of Sports for People with Disabilities (FRMSPSH), an awareness-raising and cultural, sporting and artistic activity was organized by ONEE in favor of people with specific needs. , at Bouznika beach, in order to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the coastline and the environment. As such, ONEE has set up facilities at Bouznika beach dedicated to these summer visitors, mainly composed of wooden passages for access to the beach, specific toilet blocks, adequate relaxation areas, and bathing chairs for people with reduced mobility (Tiralos). The awareness program set up by the Office as part of this “Clean Beaches 2024” campaign extended beyond the coastline through visits to natural sites in the Benslimane Region, particularly to the Arboretum. of Oued Cherrat, and at the “Tizgha” reforestation site. These outings allowed young summer visitors from Bouznika beach to discover the biodiversity of this beautiful region and to learn about the techniques for preparing plants used for reforestation of land to combat erosion. At the same time, an entertainment program is provided daily including group games, painting and sand sculpture workshops, sports competitions (water sports and sand sports) and theatrical plays on environmental themes as well as the broadcast of awareness messages about environmental protection through Radio-Beach and the giant screen installed by ONEE at Bouznika beach. In addition, and taking into account the difficult water situation experienced by our country in recent years, ONEE has carried out a large awareness campaign on the rationalization of water use and the preservation of resources against pollution in the benefit of young summer visitors from Bouznika beach, including awareness-raising presentations, fun games, cultural and artistic activities, as well as round tables led by the associative fabric, executives from the Office, and various experts in this field . It should be remembered that the efforts made by ONEE and the various partners of this program have enabled Bouznika beach to obtain in 2024 for the 18th consecutive year the international “Blue Flag” eco-label awarded by the Foundation. of Environmental Education (FEE). ONEE’s commitment to the national “Clean Beaches” program is part of the Office’s strategy aimed at preserving the environment and contributing to the sustainable development of our country. This commitment was crowned by the award to the Office of several Trophies for Bouznika beach: “Lalla Hasna Sustainable Coast Trophy in 2022, 2018 and 2016”, “Initiative Trophy in 2011, 2009 and 2007” and “Innovation Trophy in 2008 and 2003”.
