Moroccan King calls for mitigating severe water shortages

TETOUAN - Morocco’s King Mohammed VI highlighted the importance of mitigating water shortages that has taken its toll on the North African country which has been going through severe drought in the last six years.

“Six consecutive years of drought have had a profound impact on water reserves and groundwater, making the water situation more and more fragile and complex,” said the Moroccan monarch in a speech to mark the 25th anniversary of ascending the throne.

King Mohammed VI instructed the authorities concerned to take urgent, innovative steps in order to avoid water shortages.

“I have been insisting on the optimal implementation of all components of the 2020-2027 National Program for the Supply of Drinking Water and Irrigation Water, which has contributed - by the Grace of the Almighty - to mitigating the severity of the water situation,” he stressed.

The monarch insisted on the regular updating of the national water policy mechanisms, and the establishment of a strategic goal - regardless of the conditions or circumstances - which is to provide drinking water to all citizens, and mobilize at least 80% of the irrigation water needed, across the national territory.

“In this regard, it is necessary to complete the dam construction program and to give priority to the dams planned in the areas receiving significant rainfall,” he said.

He recommended accelerating the completion of large-scale projects for inter-basin transfers: those from the Oued Laou and Loukkos basins to the Oum Er-Rbia basin, through the Sebou and Bouregreg basins, which will make it possible to retain one billion cubic meters of water that is being lost to the sea.

“These projects will allow for a balanced distribution of national water resources across regions.” He added.

The monarch called for speeding up the completion of seawater desalination plants, according to the program set for this purpose, and which aims to produce more than 1.7 billion cubic metres annually.

“By 2030, Morocco will cover more than half its drinking water needs thanks to these desalination plants. This will also make it possible to irrigate vast farming areas, thereby helping to enhance the country’s food security,” he said, adding that the Casablanca desalination plant will be the largest of its kind in Africa, and the second worldwide to be 100% powered by clean energy.

“The greatest challenge remains the completion of the plants programmed and the related renewable energy projects on time and without delay,” he said.

King Mohammed VI stressed the necessity to expedite the completion of the electrical connectivity project to transfer renewable energy from the southern provinces to the country’s central and northern areas as soon as possible.

“With that in mind, I am calling for the development of a national water desalination industry as well as courses for the training of specialized engineers and technicians. I also encourage the creation of Moroccan companies specialized in the construction and maintenance of desalination plants,” he said.

“In this regard, let me stress that there is no room for any negligence, delay, or mismanagement in such a crucially vital sector as that of water,” he added.

The monarch highlighted Morocco’s achievements of