Nador, a city of the future

Photo caption: The President of the Council of Nador Mr Azouagh Slimane welcoming the representative of the Youth Organization for the European and African Union
HIBAPRESS-RABAT-MK
Who says Nador necessarily says the Rif region. Historically the city was founded by the Berbers and has seen the influence of various civilizations over the centuries, including the Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs.
During the last century Nador gained importance due to its strategic and economic role, especially during the period of the Spanish protectorate. The city was also a center of resistance during the Rif War, led by Abdelkrim El Khattabi against Spanish and French colonial forces.
Nador is mainly made up of Berbers (Amazighs) from the Riffian tribe. The Amazigh language (Tarifit) is widely spoken there, in addition to Arabic and Spanish, a legacy of the colonial era. The culture of Nador is rich and diverse, with deep-rooted traditions in arts, music, and cuisine. Local festivals, such as the moussem of Sidi Ali, attract many visitors and are key moments in the cultural life of the city.
Nador’s economy is based particularly on fishing, agriculture, trade and more recently, tourism. The Bou Areg lagoon and the region’s ports are vital centers for the fishing industry. Agriculture, with cultivation of olive trees, fig trees and citrus fruits, also plays an important role. Thanks to its picturesque beaches, natural landscapes and cultural heritage, the city increasingly attracts visitors who can enjoy the fine sandy beaches of Charrana, Kariat Arekmane and the Bou Areg lagoon.
Nador’s current challenge is the sustainable preservation of this lagoon and its development. “Thanks to the Enlightened Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God help him, the Oriental Region is being endowed with the new port entitled Nador West Med which is located in Betoya Bay,” explained Mr Azouagh Slimane, the new president of the City Council who wants to bring Nador up to the level of the large cities of the Kingdom like Rabat, Agadir, Casablanca, Marrakech or Tangier.
The city has a lot of potential and assets, first of all the Nador West Med port which, in the near future, will become one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean, its border location with Spain gives it a place of choice in trade with Europe.
All this potential can only be beneficial to the population and citizens of Nador. This is what Mr. Azouagh Slimane, the new Mayor of the city, aspires to, a man of integrity, upright, serious and a man appreciated by all those who know and interact with him.
His ambition? It is to make the city of Nador an economic, social, cultural, environmental and sporting hub. Did he not give the first and only title in this field by winning the title of champion of Morocco with the team he chairs? If he did it in sport, why wouldn’t he do it in the development of a city that is so close to his heart?
As long as he works in peace… this ambition can only be realized, to the great happiness of the nadoris which we strongly wish for them.