Rabat City Council's Transfer of Powers Sparks Controversy
The latest ordinary session of the Rabat City Council has resulted in a significant decision regarding urban cleanliness oversight, which has stirred considerable debate among council members. The council has officially transferred the responsibility for monitoring and controlling urban cleanliness to the Local Development Company (SDL) Rabat Ville Verte. This company, primarily tasked with managing, developing, and maintaining green spaces, parks, and forests, will now also ensure that service providers adhere to established guidelines and standards, according to a report by the newspaper Al Akhbar.
This decision received support from elected officials from various political parties, including the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), the Istiqlal Party, the Justice and Development Party (PJD), and the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP). However, members of the Democratic Left Federation (FGD) opposed the measure, arguing that it represents a significant relinquishment of the council's responsibilities. They have raised concerns about accountability and transparency, which they view as fundamental principles of good governance. The FGD has criticized the SDL's governance structure, pointing out that its board is chaired by the wali of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, which could undermine the democratic oversight expected from the city council.
In a statement to the press, Omar El Hiyani, an elected member, expressed strong disapproval of the transfer, stating that it constitutes a grave abdication of the council's accountability and governance duties. Meanwhile, the majority coalition in the council has defended the decision, asserting that it is designed to enhance monitoring and control mechanisms within the city’s cleanliness operations. This ongoing debate highlights the tensions between different political factions in Rabat and raises important questions about the future of municipal governance in the capital.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
