A group of officials from the Office Provincial des Ouvrages et des Infrastructures de la Jeunesse et des Sports (OPOW) in Bouira, Algeria, held a protest in front of the Directorate of Youth and Sports (DJS) on Wednesday. The protesters, who number over 100, are demanding the removal of their director, Fouad Dabba, a situation that has been ongoing since November 2018. They claim that Dabba's presence has caused significant disruptions to their work and the services they provide to the community.
The protesters expressed frustration that they have not been able to find a willing interlocutor at the DJS in Bouira. The new Director of Youth and Sports, Abdellaoui Larbi, who was appointed in May, has been largely absent and has reportedly submitted his resignation. Larbi replaced Djamel Djender, but his lack of engagement with the protesters has exacerbated the situation. The officials say they are at a loss for what to do and are calling on the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MJS) and the Wali of Bouira to intervene.
According to the protesters, they have tried every available recourse, meeting multiple times with the MJS and the Wali of Bouira to demand the official implementation of the decision to remove Dabba, which was made by the former MJS, Hattab. However, their efforts have been in vain, and Dabba remains in his position. The protesters are worried about the impact on their livelihoods, as they have not received their salaries in time, and the celebrations for the upcoming Aid El-Adha are approaching.
The strike has not only affected the officials but also the local community, particularly the youth. With the sports facilities and pools closed, young people are resorting to bathing in makeshift pools and water bodies, which poses significant risks to their safety. The situation has also affected the maintenance of sports infrastructure, including the OPOW Rabah Bitat stadium, which is in disrepair.
The protesters are demanding that the MJS and the authorities take responsibility for resolving the situation. They argue that Dabba's continued presence is a result of his connections and influence, and that it is unfair to the officials and the community. The protesters are calling for a swift resolution to the crisis and the appointment of a new director who can address the needs of the community.
The strike has been ongoing for over three months, and the situation is becoming increasingly dire. The officials are urging the authorities to take immediate action to address their concerns and restore order to the OPOW. The community is eagerly awaiting a resolution to the crisis, which will allow them to access the sports facilities and services they need.
The Wali of Bouira and the MJS have yet to comment on the situation, but the officials remain hopeful that they will take their demands seriously and take action to resolve the crisis. The protesters have vowed to continue their strike until their demands are met, and the situation remains a pressing concern for the community.
Key points
- Over 100 officials from Algeria's OPOW in Bouira have been on strike for over three months demanding the removal of their director, Fouad Dabba.
- The strike has affected not only the officials but also the local community, particularly the youth who are unable to access sports facilities and pools.
- The protesters are calling on the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Wali of Bouira to intervene and resolve the crisis.
