The Algerian province of Tizi Ouzou recently hosted an extraordinary session of the Provincial Assembly of the Wilaya (APW), focusing on regional development. The session addressed three main areas: the status of sectoral programs, improvement of citizens' living standards, and operations within the framework of Provincial Development Plans (PCD) and Communal Development Plans (CSGCL). The session aimed to assess progress, identify challenges, and propose solutions for ongoing and stalled projects.
In his inaugural speech, the President of the APW, highlighted the need for a comprehensive plan to address the region's development challenges. He cited a significant backlog of uncompleted projects, totaling 25,000 billion centimes, and emphasized the importance of efficient public expenditure management. The President proposed the creation of an ad-hoc commission to identify stalled projects, their causes, and suggest alternative solutions to complete or initiate them.
The APW President also suggested establishing a consultative council and an ad-hoc commission to oversee the recovery of industrial land. He stressed the need for an inclusive, participatory, and sustainable approach to development, incorporating sectoral actions and local initiatives. The President requested the immediate implementation of several projects, including the construction of electrical substations, acceleration of the Tichy Haf dam water supply project, and the realization of a seawater desalination station.
The President of the APW also emphasized the need to address pressing issues in the health and housing sectors. He called for the revival of stalled projects, including the University Hospital Center (CHU) and the mother-child complex. In the housing sector, he urged the launch of long-delayed projects, including 7,000 AADL housing units, for which subscribers have already paid two installments.
The APW President discussed the investment and land management sectors, highlighting the need to rationalize land use and create a favorable business environment. He proposed the allocation of the Draâ El Mizan and Tizi Ghennif activity zones for the creation of an agro-food industry excellence pole. The President also stressed the importance of recovering and allocating industrial land to genuine investors with viable projects.
The Wali (Governor) of Tizi Ouzou, Mahmoud Djemaâ, emphasized the need for a strategy that takes into account available financial resources and citizen involvement. He noted that 3,186 projects are currently underway in the province, with a total budget of 588 billion centimes. The Wali reported that the current expenditure rate stands at 58%, with 348 billion centimes spent so far.
The recent session of the APW has allocated significant funds for road infrastructure development in Tizi Ouzou. A sum of 70 billion centimes has been earmarked for provincial roads, while 30 billion centimes will be spent on communal roads. Although these allocations are considered insufficient, they aim to address the pressing needs of the region's road network.
Key points
- The Tizi Ouzou province has 3,186 ongoing projects worth 588 billion centimes.
- The current expenditure rate for these projects stands at 58%.
- A significant backlog of uncompleted projects totals 25,000 billion centimes.
