A heated debate has erupted in Béjaïa, Algeria, over a land concession granted to a private investor during the tenure of Wali Hamou Touhami. The concession, covering an area of 1,438m², was awarded for the construction of a medical emergency pavilion. However, the project has yet to materialize, prompting the economy and finance commission of the Béjaïa Provincial Assembly (APW) to demand the contract's termination and the recovery of the land.
According to the commission's report, obtained by La Dépêche de Kabylie, the land was ceded to the investor through a direct agreement, as part of projects validated by the Calpiref, on April 22, 2015. The report highlights that despite obtaining a construction permit in January 2018, the investor has made no progress on the project, leaving the land unoccupied. This has led the commission to request the annulment of the concession due to the significant delay.
The commission's report also expresses surprise that the project was approved on a privately owned plot of land without the consent or consultation of the APW or the Akbou commune council. The report notes that the land was initially reserved for LPA housing projects. The Akbou commune mayor reportedly informed the commission that the investment file was only received five months prior and that the land allocation contradicts the commune's urban planning priorities.
The mayor of Akbou further explained that the investment is not provided for in the urban planning instruments (PDAU and POS). The commission members opposed the decisions to utilize and allocate wilaya-owned assets without the APW's exclusive approval. They argue that the land should be reserved for necessary public equipment.
The controversy surrounding the land concession has raised concerns about the management of public assets in Béjaïa. The APW's economy and finance commission is pushing for the recovery of the 1,438m² plot, citing the need for transparent and accountable allocation of land resources. The commission's demands have sparked a heated debate about the role of the APW in overseeing land allocation and the need for greater transparency in investment projects.
The Béjaïa APW's move to request the annulment of the concession and the recovery of the land reflects growing concerns about the implementation of investment projects in the region. The case has highlighted the need for closer scrutiny of land allocation and investment projects to ensure they align with local priorities and regulations. The outcome of this controversy will likely have implications for future land concessions and investment projects in Béjaïa.
The dispute over the land concession in Akbou commune underscores the complexities of land management and investment in Algeria. As the APW continues to push for the annulment of the concession, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and what implications it may have for the region's development.
Key points
- The Béjaïa APW's economy and finance commission has demanded the annulment of a land concession due to the investor's failure to initiate the project within the specified timeframe.
- The concession was granted for a medical emergency pavilion on a 1,438m² plot in Akbou commune, Béjaïa.
- The controversy highlights concerns about land management, transparency, and accountability in investment projects in Algeria.
