Residents of El-Fedja, a neighborhood in the city of Béjaïa, blocked the national highway 24 to protest the large-scale squatting of land on the city's west coast. The area has been disfigured by hundreds of constructions, some of which were built on public maritime land. Locals claim that individuals are taking advantage of the situation to occupy land and build without permission.
The protests in El-Fedja are centered on allegations that some individuals have been using "baltaguias," or armed groups, to occupy land and construct buildings. Residents are calling on the authorities to intervene and stop this trend, which they say threatens the west coast of Béjaïa. The situation has sparked concerns about the management of land and resources in the area.
In the commune of Kherrata, residents of Adjiouen blocked the RN9 highway, which connects Béjaïa to Sétif, to demand the publication of a list of beneficiaries for 200 social housing units. The housing units were completed over five years ago but have been left abandoned. Protesters claim that they have been waiting for years and are living in poor conditions.
The protesters in Kherrata are demanding that the local authorities publish the list of beneficiaries for the social housing units. They express frustration that the buildings are deteriorating while they continue to live in difficult circumstances. The situation highlights the challenges faced by residents in accessing affordable housing in Béjaïa.
In the neighboring commune of Melbou, residents of the village of Essahel took to the streets to demand better living conditions. They blocked the national highway 43, which connects Béjaïa to Jijel, to call for the renovation of the village's sanitation network, the construction of a local stadium, and bus shelters.
The mayor of Melbou stated that an allocation of 400 million centimes had been made to address some of the village's needs. However, he acknowledged that the commune cannot fulfill all the demands of its citizens within the framework of the PCD. He called for dialogue with the protesters to resolve the issues.
The protests in Béjaïa highlight the growing concerns about land management, housing, and living conditions in the region. The authorities face pressure to address the grievances of residents and find solutions to the challenges facing the community. The situation remains a pressing issue for local leaders to resolve.
Key points
- Residents in Béjaïa are protesting land squatting, housing shortages, and poor living conditions.
- The protests have blocked major highways in the region, including the RN24 and RN9.
- Local authorities have been called upon to intervene and address the grievances of residents.
