In a bid to accelerate the completion of stalled housing projects, the Algerian authorities have designated an administrator for each district in Bejaia province. This move comes after significant delays were reported in several communes. The decision was made during a provincial council meeting focused on the housing sector, chaired by Wali Ahmed Maabed. The administrators will be responsible for monitoring the progress of ongoing housing projects.
The council meeting saw the 19 district heads present the current status of public housing programs in their respective municipalities. The main cause of delays has been attributed to the realization of internal roads and utilities. Despite some buildings being completed months or even years ago, they remain unconnected to essential services such as water, electricity, and gas. This has resulted in over 8,300 social housing units awaiting allocation.
A significant portion of these housing units is located in the Ighzer Ouzarif area of Oued Ghir commune, part of a new urban pole project. Local authorities are working to expedite the process, with 4,000 pre-allocated housing units targeted for completion by the end of the year. To achieve this, 19 companies have been selected to work on various infrastructure projects, including water supply, sanitation, and electricity connections.
An envelope of five billion dinars has been allocated for the infrastructure development. The Wali has instructed the directors of urban planning and water resources to prioritize the completion of social housing projects. This will enable the authorities to finalize beneficiary lists and hand over keys before the onset of winter. The move aims to address the growing impatience among housing applicants.
In Bejaia commune, residents of the Amimoun plateau are awaiting relocation to decent apartments, having lived in fear due to the deterioration of their current housing. In Ifri-Ouzellaguen district, beneficiaries of 730 social housing units in the Hellouane new urban pole have been waiting for years for the handover of keys. The list of pre-beneficiaries was made public in 2014.
Frustration among beneficiaries has led to protests, with recent demonstrations blocking the RN 26 highway. The protesters highlighted the significant delays in infrastructure work at the new Hellouane cité. Authorities have been urged to take swift action to address these concerns and expedite the completion of housing projects.
The appointment of administrators and the allocation of funds demonstrate the government's commitment to resolving the housing crisis in Bejaia. With the implementation of these measures, residents hope for a swift resolution to the long-standing delays and an improvement in their living conditions. The situation remains a priority for local authorities, who are working to find a solution.
Key points
- Algerian authorities have appointed administrators to oversee housing projects in each district of Bejaia province.
- Over 8,300 social housing units are awaiting allocation due to delays in infrastructure development.
- A five billion dinar envelope has been allocated for infrastructure development in Bejaia province.
