25 million earmarked to rehabilitate Roman Volubilis site

MAD 25 million have been earmarked to rehabilitate and preserve the ancient Roman site of Volubilis, 145 km East of Rabat, under an agreement signed, here Tuesday, between the ministry of culture and ONA Group.

The project is meant to finance constructing a museum, administrative buildings, waiting rooms and land management of the site. It will also promote archaeological research through establishing a research and reserve laboratory.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Culture, Mohamed Achaari said that works in the site will start on June 1st to end in June 2007 highlighting the scientific and tourist value of the site.

On his part, ONA representative, Rachid Slim described cooperation with the ministry of Culture as "strategic" noting that ONA group will finance with MAD 3.3 million the construction of a research and reserve centre at the Volubilis site.

Considered a universal patrimony by UNESCO in 1997, the Roman city of Volubilis dating back to the years 200 and 300 is one of the Mediterranean archaeological sites to have preserved all its characteristics and it musters rare archaeological objects.

Strewn on a hill with the panoramic sights of extended plains, Volubilis attracts thousands of tourists each year especially at the annual Volubilis Festival.