Morocco Cancels Boukhmiss Dam Project, Awarding Company Implicated in Drug Trafficking
Morocco Cancels Controversial Boukhmiss Dam Project
The Moroccan Ministry of Equipment and Water has officially canceled the construction of the Boukhmiss Dam, a morocco-imminent/” title=”Sound Energy: Morocco Poised for Natural Gas Production”>project mired in controversy due to its connection to an alleged drug lord. The decision, announced on August 12, 2024, brings an end to a project that was intended to provide much-needed water resources to the Khémisset region.
The Boukhmiss Dam project was awarded to “Baâyoui for Works” in December 2023. The company, owned by Abdel Nabi Baâyoui, the former president of the Oriental region, became embroiled in scandal when Baâyoui was arrested in connection with the “Escobar of the Sahara” case, an international drug trafficking investigation.
This development cast a long shadow over the dam project, raising concerns about transparency and potential misuse of public funds. The dam, with a planned storage capacity of 650 million cubic meters, was envisioned as a solution to water scarcity in the Khémisset region and a key component of inter-basin water transfer projects. Its cancellation highlights the Moroccan government‘s commitment to addressing corruption and ensuring ethical practices in public projects.
This cancellation comes at a time when Morocco, like many countries in North Africa, is grappling with the growing challenges of water scarcity. According to the World Bank, the country’s annual renewable water resources have plummeted to less than 700 cubic meters per capita, placing it well below the threshold for water stress. This situation is further exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, which is expected to bring about more frequent and severe droughts.
The Moroccan government has been actively pursuing various strategies to address its water challenges. These include:
Investing in desalination: Morocco has become a world leader in desalination, with plans to significantly expand its capacity in the coming years. For example, the country recently inaugurated a large-scale desalination plant in Agadir, capable of producing enough drinking water for over 400,000 people.
Promoting water-efficient irrigation: Agriculture is the largest consumer of water in Morocco. The government is encouraging farmers to adopt drip irrigation and other water-saving techniques.
* Raising public awareness: Campaigns are underway to educate the public about the importance of water conservation.
While the cancellation of the Boukhmiss Dam is a setback for the Khémisset region, it underscores the Moroccan government’s commitment to good governance and responsible resource management. As the country navigates its water challenges, it will be crucial to prioritize transparency, sustainability, and the equitable distribution of this precious resource.
