Morocco's next government must build 'one-speed' nation: Minister

Fouzi Lekjaa, a prominent figure in Morocco's "Authentic Modernity" party and the minister delegate for the budget, has pinpointed the creation of a "Morocco at one speed" as a paramount objective for the incoming government. He asserted that bridging the development gap between the kingdom's regions and ensuring a uniform pace of progress across all provinces are fundamental to achieving territorial justice, in line with royal directives promoting equitable opportunities.

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Reducing the disparities between the kingdom's regions and unifying the pace of development between the various provinces constitute a fundamental entry point for achieving territorial justice, in line with the royal directives calling for enabling citizens to have similar opportunities in development and basic services.

Speaking at a party gathering in Taounate province, Lekjaa underscored the necessity of social and developmental programs that yield tangible results in citizens' daily lives. He specifically prioritized sectors such as education, health, and road infrastructure. The minister also acknowledged Morocco's significant youth potential, citing successes in sports, engineering, medicine, and innovation, and stressed that providing appropriate opportunities would amplify their contribution to national development.

Lekjaa further elaborated that the varied development rates across Moroccan regions necessitate accelerating projects that improve living conditions and enhance access to public services. He linked the vision of a "rising Morocco" to the capacity of public policies to reach all territories with comparable levels of infrastructure and services. The minister noted that persistent disparities in development indicators effectively create different speeds within the nation's developmental trajectory, a situation he deemed impactful and requiring swift resolution.

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The social and developmental imbalances require programs capable of creating a direct impact on citizens' lives, with special attention given to sectors related to education, health, and road infrastructure.

The minister called for strengthening the road network, improving education quality, and enhancing healthcare services as key levers for regional balance and equal access to opportunities. He also addressed challenges in the Moroccan education system, noting that over 300,000 students drop out annually, a figure he described as concerning and requiring broad mobilization to tackle the causes of school dropout and expand educational opportunities.

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The experiences accumulated by Moroccan youth confirm that whenever they are given a real opportunity and the right conditions, they show a great ability to excel.

Lekjaa concluded by linking the success of future projects to their ability to restore public confidence and instill hope. He urged public programs to transition from commitments to concrete outcomes felt by citizens. He also emphasized the importance of political participation in shaping public choices, encouraging citizens to engage in elections and select competent individuals to implement development and social service programs. The upcoming government, he stated, will face significant responsibilities in addressing disparities in education, health, and infrastructure, alongside reducing regional gaps and expanding opportunities for youth.

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The disparity in the pace of development between the regions of the kingdom necessitates accelerating the completion of projects capable of improving living conditions and bringing public services closer.