King Mohammed launches drinking-water projects in el-Haouz province

Carrying on visits to drought-affected regions in the kingdom, King Mohammed VI launched Wednesday afternoon two drinking-water supply projects by the drinking-water authority "ONEP" to service 19 villages in the Haouz Province.

The first undertaking worth $ 100,000, to be completed by September 2000, will provide 3,000 work-days and several permanent jobs and will benefit 2,400 inhabitants in eleven villages in the vicinity of the Ait Ourir city. The reservoirs built will help secure 1,000 M3 drinking water stocks.

The second project will supply eight villages of Amzmiz and Tanhannouate with potable water and provide 6,3000 work-days before completion in November 2000 with a total cost of $ 380,000.

The king also inquired about and launched several projects meant to alleviate drought-effects and break the isolation of rural areas in the province such as the construction of roads, schools, and irrigation networks as well as measures to protect livestock, upgrade farming output, boost employment and hand out subsidized grain.