A consultative meeting was held today, Monday, at the headquarters of the Taza provincial administration to prepare a new generation of integrated territorial development programs.
This meeting, chaired by the Governor of Taza Province, Rachid Benchikhi, in the presence of regional and local authorities, elected officials, representatives of decentralized services, and civil society actors, was an opportunity to present development indicators, along with highlighting the natural and economic potentials of the various territorial groups affiliated with the province. Mr. Benchikhi affirmed in his speech on the occasion that this expanded meeting constitutes an essential stage in the process of preparing the integrated territorial development program for the province, stressing that it mobilizes all territorial actors whose actual participation and suggestions will contribute to preparing a roadmap that responds to the aspirations of the population and reflects its true priorities. He explained that the program constitutes a reference framework for a new generation of structured projects capable of keeping pace with the economic, social, and technological transformations that Morocco is witnessing, drawing lessons from previous experiences, while continuing the path of reforms that were launched under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, especially in the areas of infrastructure, public services, and improving living conditions. He pointed out that Taza has benefited, during the last ten years, from significant investments amounting to 8.9 billion dirhams, of which 5.2 billion dirhams were allocated to basic infrastructure, 2.1 billion dirhams to productive sectors, and 1.6 billion dirhams to social sectors, which contributed to strengthening territorial integration and reducing disparities, stressing the need to continue this effort to keep pace with the increasing needs of the population. In the same context, he called on all local actors to fully engage in preparing the new program, which is based on four main axes: strengthening local investment, strengthening basic social services, sustainable management of natural resources, and territorial rehabilitation. In a statement to the Moroccan News Agency, the Regional Delegate of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in Taza, Hicham Al-Alaoui Ismaili, stated that this meeting constitutes a consultative space that includes various actors at the regional level to discuss the needs of the population in various fields, including health and social services. He added that the goal is to develop a participatory vision that ensures the achievement of spatial justice, bringing basic services closer to citizens, strengthening the health offer within the province, and providing better services for users. For his part, the Regional Director of the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports in Taza, Mohamed Al-Ghouri, affirmed that this meeting aims to involve citizens, territorial groups, civil society, and intervening institutions in preparing a new generation of integrated territorial development programs. He explained that this approach is based on organizing communication meetings and direct consultation with the population in order to listen to their real needs, identify their expectations on the ground, and translate them into inclusive development programs emanating from the local priorities expressed. He pointed out that the national education sector is fully involved in this process, by contributing to the definition of a development program that takes into account the improvement of services provided by the regional directorates, whether at the level of establishing or expanding educational institutions, or strengthening school transport, accommodation, and accompanying services. He continued that these projects aim to support local development and combat school dropout, especially in rural areas, confirming that the Ministry will keep pace with this program in a way that meets the aspirations of the population in terms of quality of education and raising the performance of the educational system. For her part, the President of the "Tactiviation Initiatives Taza" association, Amal Al-Azouzi, highlighted that this meeting constitutes a pivotal stage in the framework of preparing a new generation of territorial development programs, stressing the importance of opening spaces for dialogue and listening to the needs of citizens, and involving various sectors and civil actors in this dynamic. She added that this stage has a decisive character in order to enhance sustainable development, meet the aspirations of the population, and prepare accurate programs emanating from the priorities and requests of the population. During this meeting, interactive workshops were organized that addressed vital and strategic sectors for the province and the basic needs of the population. Territorial data on the economic, social, and cultural structures of the province were also presented. (MAP)
