Wholesale markets, kiosks, and roads under debate at the communal council

The communal council of the city of Fez held its ordinary session for the month of February 2016, during which all items on the agenda were approved.

Among the 24 items on the agenda of the February ordinary session of the Fez communal council were, among others, the regulation of kiosks, the development of urban roads, the organisation of wholesale markets and the fish market, and the transfer of funds for the restoration of the Al Hourria municipal cultural complex. With an overwhelming majority of councillors belonging to the Justice and Development Party (PJD), the president of the council, Idriss Azami, encountered no difficulty in having the items submitted for examination approved, which aimed at improving the urban landscape and the services offered to the inhabitants of the spiritual capital.

The council thus approved the transfer of funds amounting to more than 3.3 million DH to pay its contribution to the development project of the Bensouda industrial zone (1 million DH), the completion of restoration work on the Al Hourria municipal cultural complex and media library (1.23 million DH), the acquisition of electronic scales for wholesale markets, as well as the rental of vehicles and machinery necessary for the operation of certain municipal services.

The council also debated the project to launch tenders for the appointment of authorised agents for the fruit and vegetable wholesale markets and the fish market, due to the economic, social, and hygienic importance of these auction halls and their contribution to the municipality's tax revenues. According to a note, more than a dozen authorised agents at the wholesale markets appointed since 1999 have passed away or reached the retirement age, and their replacement is essential for the smooth operation of these auction halls.

The council also approved the expropriation of the land known as the "Tazi property" for the creation of a green area and other land for the extension of urban roads, notably the Al Kawtar road. The elected officials also adopted the municipal decree relating to the regulated occupation of the public domain by kiosks, subject to the granting of specific authorisations for this type of business and respect for the architectural and aesthetic urban character, all with the aim of fighting against anarchy and the illicit occupation of communal property.

At the same time, with a view to improving the council's financial resources, the latter adopted the additional tax decree relating to the operation of indoor halls located within the commune's perimeter, such as the Benzakour, Bensouda, Al Massira, Aouinat Al Houjjaj, and Derb El Ameur halls, and others planned, despite the opposition of certain councillors from other parties such as the Istiqlal. The council also ruled on decrees relating to the liquidation of urbanisation files, the regulation of advertising panels, and the installation of surveillance cameras in new housing estates and new constructions.

On another level, and at the authority's proposal, the council looked into the problem of reserving communal land to resolve, to some extent, the rampant phenomenon of "ferracha" (street vendors), who cause inconvenience to residents, businesses, traffic, cleanliness, hygiene, and the aesthetics of the urban landscape.

The council also approved several cooperation and partnership agreements with other institutions for the management of the copperware sector in Ain Nokbi, the improvement of municipal capacities for tax collection, the strengthening of local road safety systems, and the maintenance of public lighting and traffic lights.

During this ordinary session, an agreement with the international organisation "Counterpart International" relating to the civil society support programme funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was adopted. Another partnership agreement was also concluded with the regional station of the "Radio Plus" channel for an amount of 800,000 DH for the communication and popularisation of the municipality's projects and actions. Furthermore, at the opening of the session, the council followed a presentation on the household waste collection service, which has clearly improved since the arrival of the new municipal leadership team. Problems remain, however, regarding the quality of service of the delegated urban transport company.

Provider / Source : Le Matin