Efforts to Restore Cleanliness in Casablanca Amid Transition Challenges
In a bid to address the cleanliness issues plaguing Casablanca following a tumultuous transition in waste management from the former delegate, Averda, to Arma, led by Youssef Ahizoune, authorities are intensifying their oversight efforts. Just three weeks into this transition, which has been marked by persistent operational challenges and ongoing adjustments, Wali Mohamed Mhidia has taken a firm stance, emphasizing the need for a swift return to normalcy in waste management services. This initiative is being pursued through a series of follow-up meetings focused on enhancing service quality and ensuring compliance with contractual obligations.
On July 22, another critical meeting was convened at the Hay Hassani prefecture, attended by Wali Mhidia, governors from various prefectures, and key stakeholders, including Moulay Ahmed Afilal, the vice-mayor responsible for cleanliness, and Youssef Chakour, director of the local development company Casa Baïa. The discussions centered on the management of waste in Hay Hassani, Aïn Chock, El Fida, and Anfa, now under Arma's purview. Mhidia directly challenged Ahizoune regarding the cleanliness standards in these areas, highlighting the need for immediate improvements.
Immediate Actions and Future Plans for Waste Management
During the meeting, it became evident that while some progress had been made since the transition, the level of service still fell short of expectations. Several governors pointed out that in densely populated neighborhoods such as Ennassim, Sidi El Khadir, and Oulfa, cleanliness remained a significant concern. Consequently, Arma was instructed to establish field monitoring committees to closely oversee service quality. Moreover, the state of the equipment inherited from Averda was discussed, with a decision made to provide governors and municipal leaders with detailed contracts outlining the necessary material and human resources to ensure clarity on the operational capabilities.
To further bolster efforts, an additional 200 personnel have been deployed to Hay Hassani and 120 to Aïn Chock, along with five extra vehicles and 200 bins. Authorities are optimistic that the situation is gradually improving, with Mhidia urging Arma to expedite orders for new equipment. This move aims to visibly enhance service delivery for residents, with all vehicles required to meet stringent Euro VI or VII environmental standards, favoring recognized brands like Renault or Mercedes, while excluding lower-quality options from China or Turkey.
Wali Mhidia's proactive approach includes advocating for the use of satellite bins to service narrow streets and increasing daily manual sweeping efforts, while promising rigorous monitoring of these initiatives. He reiterated that Arma, as the recipient of the majority of contracts, must fulfill its commitments diligently. Through these strategic meetings and interventions, Casablanca's authorities aim to restore an acceptable level of cleanliness in the city, addressing the heightened expectations of its residents during this critical transition period.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
