For the second consecutive day, residents of Ath-Leqsar closed the local town hall, protesting the stalled construction of a polyclinic. The protesters are demanding that authorities restart work on the project, which has been delayed since 2014. They expressed frustration with previous promises from local officials, which have yet to materialize.
The protest comes after the local health director and acting district chief visited the site, promising that a new company would be contracted to complete the project by April. However, protesters say they have heard similar assurances before, with no tangible results. Yahia Semmache, a representative of the protesters, stated that they will maintain their action until the project is restarted or a written commitment is made by the local governor.
The polyclinic project was initially approved in 2012 with a 48-month deadline. By 2015, the project had stalled, with work only 70% complete, and was subsequently canceled by the government. In 2017, the project was revived by the health ministry, with additional funding allocated. Despite this, progress has been slow, with bureaucratic hurdles hindering the appointment of a new contractor.
Residents of Ath-Leqsar say they suffer from a lack of adequate healthcare facilities, making the polyclinic project a pressing necessity. They are determined to continue their protest until their demands are met. The town is located in the southeastern part of Bouira province, where healthcare services are limited.
The project's delays have been attributed to administrative bottlenecks, with authorities struggling to find a new contractor to take over the project. This has left residents feeling frustrated and disillusioned with local authorities. The protesters have vowed to maintain their action until a resolution is reached.
Local authorities have yet to comment on the situation, but the protesters remain resolute in their demands. The standoff highlights the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing quality healthcare services. The outcome of the protest remains uncertain, but residents are determined to see the project through to completion.
The situation in Ath-Leqsar underscores the need for improved healthcare infrastructure in rural Algeria. With the project stalled for years, residents are calling for swift action from authorities to address their concerns. A resolution to the crisis is yet to be seen, but the protesters' determination suggests that the issue will not be easily dismissed.
Key points
- Algerian authorities face pressure to restart stalled polyclinic construction in Ath-Leqsar.
- Residents have been protesting for improved healthcare services since 2014.
- Project delays have been attributed to administrative bottlenecks and bureaucratic hurdles.
