The Government Spokesperson (Acting): We are implementing an ambitious strategy to advance the vocational training sector.

The Minister of Vocational Training, Handicrafts, and Artisanal Trades, acting Government Spokesperson, Mr. Mohamed Maa El-Ainin Ould Eyih, said in response to a question about improving the situation of teachers in the vocational training sector, during his remarks on the results of the Council of Ministers meeting this evening, Wednesday, at the press briefing hall of the Mauritanian News Agency in Nouakchott, accompanied by the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled, that teachers in the sector will receive benefits equivalent to, or exceeding, those received by their counterparts in the national education sector, although the specific nature of the vocational sector must be taken into account.

 For his part, the Minister of Energy and Oil, Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled, said in his comment on the draft law concerning the ratification of the financing agreement signed between Mauritania and the European Investment Bank, which is intended to contribute to the funding of the Regional Electricity Transmission Corridor project in Mauritania, that the project’s financing amounts to 90 million euros, approximately 42 billion old ouguiyas. He added that the loan is accompanied by a European grant exceeding 33 million euros to contribute to the construction of a high-voltage electricity line between Nouakchott and Néma.

 He added that this massive project will cost 816 million euros, distributed among several donors, with the African Development Bank contributing 247 million euros, the French Development Agency 64 million euros, and the World Bank 113 million euros. He pointed out that part of this funding will be allocated to building a power line between the capital, Nouakchott, and Aleg, in addition to a power station there, emphasizing the importance of the project for the national economy.

 Regarding my two legislative projects related to two agreements signed between Mauritania and the Islamic Development Bank, the Minister of Energy and Petroleum explained that the first loan amounts to 18 million euros, while the second loan reaches 180 thousand euros, and both will be allocated for the expansion of the National Center for Heart Diseases.

Regarding the draft decree concerning companies exploiting minerals in the electricity sector, the Minister stated that the state has adopted a strategy to achieve the economic objectives outlined in the electoral program of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, which is based on renewable energy. He explained that a committee formed for this purpose adopted a decision whereby mining companies are required to use no less than 5% renewable energy in their activities until the year 2030.