A meeting between the head of the Maâtkas district and a coordination committee representing village committees took place recently at the district headquarters. The meeting focused on reviewing local development issues and addressing concerns raised by the community. Representatives from the village committees sought to update the status of previously discussed projects and their progress. This meeting was an opportunity for the community to voice their concerns and priorities.
The top priority for the village representatives was the establishment of an advanced civil protection post. The district head reassured them that all necessary formalities and site selection had been completed, and the project was awaiting the commencement of studies, which would precede the start of work. In the meantime, a temporary brigade had been set up at the Bouhamdoune school to respond to emergencies. The district head promised that a new location would be found for the brigade by the start of the school year.
Healthcare was another critical sector discussed during the meeting. Village representatives highlighted several concerns, including equipment failures at the local polyclinic, such as a faulty dental chair and a non-functional generator. They also reported that one of the three local health centers was not operational. These concerns were raised to emphasize the need for improved healthcare services in the area.
The meeting also touched on other pressing issues, including the potential reassignment of the communal library to make way for the expansion of the polyclinic. The village representatives expressed their concerns about this possibility, citing previous instances where cultural and socio-educational infrastructure had been repurposed for other uses. They argued that it was the state's responsibility to address land ownership issues to accommodate necessary projects.
The discussion also covered the state of local roads, the progress of fiber-optic installation, water supply and sanitation, and cultural preservation. The village representatives expressed their concerns about the future of the region's cultural heritage, particularly the traditional pottery, which they felt was at risk of disappearing. They questioned the impact of a pottery festival that had been held for over a decade and the lack of progress on a promised museum.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold a follow-up meeting with the relevant sectoral directors from the wilaya (province) to address the concerns raised. The local authorities present at the meeting assured the village representatives that their concerns would be taken into consideration and addressed in a timely manner.
The meeting was notable for the absence of representatives from the local APC (Assemblée Populaire Communale, or Communal People's Assembly). Despite this, the village representatives were able to engage in a constructive dialogue with the district head and other local authorities, highlighting the pressing development needs in the area and seeking solutions to these challenges.
Key points
- The meeting highlighted the need for improved infrastructure and public services in the Maâtkas region, including healthcare, civil protection, and cultural preservation.
