Morocco has been hit by a severe drought in the last few years
Morocco’s King chairs meeting on National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation
King Mohammed VI has given His High Instructions to the government to activate the emergency measures of the Program to combat the effects of drought.
Wednesday 10/05/2023
Morocco has been hit by a severe drought in the last few years
RABAT - Morocco’s King Mohammed VI chaired Tuesday at the Royal Palace in Rabat a working session on monitoring the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation 2020-2027.
Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka made a presentation to the King on the water situation and the progress of the implementation of the various components of this program.
A significant additional investment has been granted to the program, bringing its overall budget to 143 billion dirhams ($14.7 billion) in accordance with the King’s instructions aimed at accelerating this program and updating its consistency, said the Royal Palace in a statement.
It was particularly underlined in this context:
- The acceleration of the interconnection project of the hydraulic basins of Sebou, Bouregreg and Oum Er-Rbia, with the ongoing construction of the urgent section of this interconnection over 67 km;
- The programming of new dams and the updating of the costs of around twenty planned dams, thus making it possible to increase the storage capacity of 6.6 billion m3 of fresh water;
- The acceleration of projects for the mobilization of unconventional water, through the programming of seawater desalination stations and the increase in capacity for the reuse of treated wastewater;
- Strengthening the supply of drinking water in rural areas, by extending coverage to more douars and by strengthening the logistical and human resources mobilized.
Furthermore, and in view of the climatic and water situation having again had a negative impact, this year, on the progress of the agricultural campaign and the availability of pastures, the King has given His High Instructions to the government to activate, as in the previous year, the emergency measures of the Program to combat the effects of drought.
Finally, the Sovereign urged the departments and bodies concerned to double their vigilance in this vital area and to demonstrate efficiency in carrying out the projects programmed according to the established schedule, concluded the statement.
A severe drought and soaring commodity prices have driven inflation to record highs in the North African kingdom.