Government spokesman: Several Deaths have been Recorded with Malaria Fever, but the Situation is under Control

The Minister of Vocational Training, Handicrafts and Crafts, Acting Government Spokesman, Mr. Maelainine Ould EyIh, confirmed that the health services have recorded several deaths due to malaria fever, but the health situation is under control, as health equipment is available and Ministry of Health teams are present in each wilaya.

Commenting on the results of the cabinet meeting Thursday evening in Nouakchott, accompanied by Minister of Economy and Finance Sid’ Ahmed Ould Bouh, he added that the Ministry of Health has taken all necessary measures to implement its health policy and emergency strategy.

In response to a question about the flooding in some areas of the West Bank due to the high water level of the river, and the damage caused by it,  the Minister stressed that the State has taken preparations for this event based on warnings from the Senegal River Investment Organization, as all the concerned sectors are present on the scene (Food Security Commission, the General Delegation for National Solidarity and Combating Exclusion, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty), and the necessary shelters have been provided to shelter the affected people from drinking water, tents and food.

He stressed that His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, is following with interest this issue, as a ministerial committee headed by the Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay has been formed and has mobilized all necessary means to deal with the event.

In response to a question about the visit of the Indian President to Mauritania yesterday, the acting government spokesman said that the visit aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries on the one hand, and to discuss the field of cooperation between India and the African continent on the other hand, and was proof of the great position that Mauritania occupies internationally.

He added that the visit came after the participation of His Excellency the President of the Republic in recent days in several international conferences (France, Germany, Ivory Coast, Libya), which achieved important results, and highlighted the country’s position externally and taking the initiative as Chairman of the African Union and carrying the national concern as head of state.

Commenting on the draft law containing the original Finance Law for the year 2025, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Sid’Ahmed Bouh, said that the draft budget for 2025 witnessed this year an increase in the percentage of self-financing, reaching 76% of the budget, which will enable the achievement of many goals, such as the ability to initiate and the ability more to properly plan projects and complete their plans.

He added that the new budget identified a portfolio of important projects with the aim of creating an effective dynamic for the construction of projects, especially in the field of infrastructure and development issues, such as the construction of dams and electricity, the continuation of the sewage project for Nouakchott, the lifting of isolation from agricultural production areas and the preparation of agricultural spaces for young people, which confirms the government’s commitment to the vision of His Excellency the President of the Republic, to take care of young people and make them the title of the stage.

The Minister explained that the draft Finance Law for the year 2025 is balanced in terms of revenues and expenditures at the amount of one hundred and sixteen billion, eight hundred and seventy-two million, three hundred and ten thousand (116,872,310,000) Ouguiyas compared to one hundred and seven billion seven hundred and fifteen million five hundred and forty-three thousand and two hundred and fifty-five (107,715,543,255) Ouguiyas in the amended Finance Law for the year 2024, an increase of 8.50%.

He pointed out that the volume of expenditures amounted to 56 billion, including 27 billion for the mass of wages, while the investment budget amounted to 51 billion Ouguiyas, or 44% of the general resources of the budget.

He added that the growth rate for the year 2025 is expected to reach (5.5%), while it is expected to reach (5.4%) by the end of this year, and the GDP for next year’s budget is expected to reach 447.4 billion new Ouguiyas compared to 415 for the current year, while inflation will reach 4% in 2025.

The Minister referred to the general context of the budget and its economic and political challenges, whether at the local or external level, as at the local level this budget represents an actual translation of the electoral program of His Excellency the President of the Republic, (as it is the first after his election), and at the international level, the global economy is still witnessing a slowdown in growth rates and an increase in inflation rates, in addition to the lack of flow of global trade.