The Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, recognized the existence of several dysfunctions and problems within the Société Nationale des Autoroutes du Maroc (ADM). He notably indicated that many hectares belonging to the highway network and adjacent land are not registered. Baraka also mentioned the development of a road map aimed at injecting new dynamics into society and creating an additional 1,200 kilometers of highways by 2030, a deadline which coincides with the organization of the World Cup.
These statements were made this Wednesday, during his interaction with the conclusions and recommendations of the members of the exploratory mission on highways, presented during a meeting of the Committee on Infrastructure, Energy, Mines and of the environment in the House of Representatives. This mission noted a series of dysfunctions in the operation of the ADM.
Baraka praised the serious work accomplished by the exploratory mission and the recommendations made. He underlined the importance of the points raised, which require concrete actions to improve this strategic sector for the country.
The minister affirmed that the report highlighted several issues, particularly linked to the financial and administrative situation of the company, as well as the state of the motorway network, in particular with regard to the maintenance of certain degraded sections. . He also discussed the challenges related to the pace of construction of new highways, road safety and the operation of existing infrastructure.
After recalling the royal guidelines, in particular the objective set by King Mohammed VI of reaching a 3,000-kilometer highway network in Morocco, in parallel with the preparations to meet the challenges linked to the organization of the World Cup 2030, Nizar Baraka further stressed that the report of the exploratory mission contains 40 recommendations, focused on various points identified during the investigations.
These proposals are timely, he said, encouraging their adoption.
Likewise, Baraka noted that efforts are underway to regularize the company’s assets. He clarified that a significant part of the highways and adjacent lands are not yet registered. Steps are currently being taken to register and register these hectares, in order to integrate them into the company’s capital, improve its financial situation and allow the exploitation of these lands for future investments.
-He insisted on the importance of implementing the royal directives, in particular the construction of 1,200 additional kilometers of highways. This will require the development of a clear roadmap, the definition of priorities and the mobilization of the necessary financial resources.
The minister also affirmed the government’s commitment to revitalizing the ADM. He cited the development of a new contractual program, intended to resolve the problems identified in the parliamentary mission’s report, and to meet citizens’ expectations.
In the same sense, Nizar Baraka highlighted a strong desire to take new measures to improve the financial situation of the company and strengthen its capacities, in particular through the development of human resources, considered as the basis of its operation.
He also mentioned the ADM subsidiary, ADM Projectspecializing in the construction of cutting-edge infrastructure. He expressed his wish to expand its activities internationally, particularly in Africa, in order to strengthen the financial capabilities of the company. Major contracts with African countries are currently being negotiated.
Finally, Baraka expressed his ministry’s willingness to work in collaboration with MPs and share various points of view, in order to develop joint recommendations and practical proposals. He stressed that Parliament and the Infrastructure Commission are real partners in defining the roadmap necessary for the development of the sector.
