Government spokesperson: The Nouakchott Development Emergency Project is structural and responds to the most pressing needs of citizens

The Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, Spokesperson of the Government, Mr. El Houssein Ould Medou, said that the emergency program for the development of the city of Nouakchott, launched last week by His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, is a structural project and responds to the most pressing needs of the citizens.

Commenting on the results of the Council of Ministers meeting on Thursday evening at the Mauritanian News Agency headquarters in Nouakchott, along with the Minister of Mines and Industry, he added that the capital will change for the better in the coming year, due to the important achievements that will be implemented, which include the construction of dozens of schools. health points that will be upgraded to centers, 160 km of paved roads in the capital, 160 km of electricity lines, an increase in water pumping in the capital by 60%, the construction of a special landmark associated with the visual identity of Nouakchott with a length of about 66 meters, as well as the establishment of green spaces within the capital in the place of ponds and swamps.

In response to a question related to the Press Support Fund, the minister emphasized that in accordance with the commitment of the President of the Republic, the allocations of this fund have been doubled to reach 400 million this year.

Commenting on the draft decree that repeals and replaces Decree No. 049-2023 of April 17, 2023 on mineral fees and royalties, Minister of Mines and Industry,  Mr. Thiam Tidjani, said the mineral sector is an important pillar of the national economy and plays a crucial role in raising revenue and creating jobs.

He pointed out that this sector is facing major challenges that hinder its significant contribution to the country’s economic development, as speculation is increasingly widespread, noting that to face this situation, it is necessary to review the current legislative framework to create an environment that promotes transparency and undermines speculative behavior, in order to adapt the legislative framework to the new reality of the sector, while supporting the development of practices towards more responsible and sustainable exploitation.

He said this draft decree aims to respond to the structural challenges facing the minerals sector by implementing measures commensurate with the structure of the new government.

In response to a question regarding the establishment of an industrial zone, he said that there is a project in the program of His Excellency the President of the Republic to establish it, but everyone must understand that the establishment of this zone requires many things, most notably energy, which the government is looking to provide in sufficient quantities for industry.