HIBAPRESS – by A. Muhayawi
The Atlantic district of Fez is experiencing a concerning situation that is upsetting residents and reflects a clear absence of intervention by the relevant authorities. Inside the neighborhood, adjacent to the bus station, there is an area that has turned into a neglected and closed space, emanating foul odors due to the accumulation of urine and garbage.
According to several residents, this spot is a source of serious health and environmental nuisance, especially with the spread of strong odors, the proliferation of insects, and the presence of homeless people, which makes daily life within the neighborhood more difficult. The affected residents also expressed their astonishment at the silence of the responsible authorities, the municipality, and the entity entrusted with managing cleanliness, which, according to their expression, "remained in the news," despite continuous calls to rehabilitate the space or at least remove the harm. In the context of this situation, the clear position of the Wali of the Fez-Meknes region, Mr. Ait Taleb, stands out, as he has called on more than one occasion for all stakeholders to assume their responsibilities, especially since Morocco is about to host continental and international competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup. He emphasized that neglect in managing public spaces is no longer acceptable, especially in this critical stage, which requires comprehensive mobilization and urgent field work. The residents of the Atlantic district demanded immediate and urgent intervention from the municipal services and local authorities to open this file and address the situation before it worsens, confirming that restoring public spaces remains an essential part of improving the quality of life within the city and protecting the population from the health and environmental risks that are increasing day after day. The hope remains that the competent authorities will move quickly so that this space returns to its original function, instead of remaining a source of pollution in the middle of one of the largest residential neighborhoods in Fez.
