Launching New Road Projects to Enhance Connectivity and Alleviate Isolation in Khénifra Region
On Monday, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka inaugurated a number of projects aimed at upgrading and developing road infrastructure in the Khénifra region, as part of efforts to strengthen the road network and improve connectivity between rural communities.
Accompanied by the region’s governor, Mohammed Adel Ihourane, and in the presence of the President of the Béni Mellal-Khénifra Regional Council, Adel Barkat, along with several elected officials and responsible parties, the minister inaugurated the reconstruction project of a technical structure over the Ouamana River at kilometer point 445+970 of National Road No. 8, linking Khénifra and the Ouamana municipality. The project has a budget of approximately 15.30 million dirhams and a completion timeline set at 12 months.
This project aims to improve the transportation conditions for local residents and to alleviate the isolation of nearby rural areas, as well as to facilitate access to essential services and enhance the safety and sustainability of the road network.
In this context, the minister presented an overview of the road projects completed in the Khénifra region over the past five years, with a total cost of around 268 million dirhams, as part of the modernization and rehabilitation program for National Road No. 8.
The minister also reviewed the dualization and upgrade of Regional Road No. 710 linking Khénifra to Abi J’ad, which includes the dualization of National Road No. 29 over a stretch of 840 meters, as well as the dualization of Regional Road No. 710 over 11 kilometers between the city of Khénifra and the unclassified road leading to Ait Ali in the Sidi Amar municipality, along with the widening and strengthening of the road over a distance of 74.66 kilometers between Sidi Amar and Abi J’ad.
This project is part of ongoing efforts to improve transportation conditions and road safety while supporting the economic and social dynamism of the region.
Additionally, a presentation was made regarding the priority program to enhance road connectivity between local communities in the region for the years 2025 and 2026, which involves the execution of approximately 212.5 kilometers of roads with a total estimated cost of around 212 million dirhams, aimed at improving rural residents’ access to essential services and alleviating isolation in several areas.
Moreover, results from the study on the protection and enhancement of the source of the Oum Er-Rabie River, conducted by the Oum Er-Rabie Hydraulic Basin Agency, were presented, aiming to preserve and enhance these natural resources.
It is noteworthy that earlier on the same day, two partnership agreements to develop road infrastructure in the region were signed at the headquarters of the Khénifra province, with a total cost approaching 882 million dirhams, as part of the program contract between the state and the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region for the period of 2025-2027.
The minister also chaired the works of the Board of Directors of the Oum Er-Rabie Hydraulic Basin Agency, which was dedicated to finalizing the agency’s accounts for the fiscal year 2024 and reviewing its work program and budget project for the year 2026.
