By: Napoleon Ato Kittoe
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has admonished his countrymen and women, to as a matter of urgency, work themselves into the coordinated system being continually developed to avert a looming water crisis in the Kingdom.
The shortfall in water was brought about by a severe drought on the desert. The King has issued caution against any act that does not conform to the concerted action by the state, as illegalities. Pumping water and drilling groundwater for instance must be sanctioned by the law. He has also asked that the mobilization effort on water must be cost-effective, transparent and driven inter-sectorally.
“Water is the source of all life. It is an essential ingredient in the development process, and it is critical for all projects and productive sectors.”
The above, a key punchline in King Mohammed’s speech to Parliament, portrays how the Kingdom of Morocco is deeply attached to water. The natural commodity but largely processed before human consumption, is indispensable to life. In Morocco especially, water is considered a lifeblood. Even more crucial is water in scheme of things as the desert nation smarts under its worst drought in thirty years.
King Mohammed VI said the agricultural sector is most constrained in the light of the present circumstances. This was the basis for which he called on all Moroccans to work themselves into the national mechanism for the protection of water sources, innovative management of water, and judicious use of the commodity.
To quote his exact words, “As Moroccans, we should all exert greater efforts to ensure rational, responsible use of water.
This requires a real change in our behavior regarding water. In this respect, public administrations and institutions should lead by example.
It is also necessary to ensure optimal management of the demand in light of the accomplishments made in mobilizing water resources.” He urged a conscious approach towards water as a resource not to be misused or wasted by any means. He also affirmed his belief in homegrown capacities to tackle the problem, and he insisted that the Moroccan system must stand in readiness for eventualities within the fluid situation or natural occurence, aggravated by climate change.
Morocco, however, is a coastal country and if the express wish of the King is anything to go by, then Morocco is to explore the full range of her water bodies, including desalination of seawater which is already the path taken by some countries in the largely arid Arabian Gulf. Morocco is part of the Maghreb region in Africa which has wide Mediterranean seafront.
King Mohammed VI, said, the second most important pillar on which Morocco will stand is investment. He has therefore urged all actors to work at positioning the country as attractive investment destination, targeting both domestic and foreign capital. He said, Morocco living abroad have a role to play in this direction. Under a national investment contract scheme, Morocco aims to raise 550 billion dirhams for investment, and create 500,000 jobs between 2022 and 2026. He said, whilst the country helps itself, it is important that the internal dynamics are compliant with international standards to boost investor confidence.
The King tapped into the words of the Almighty in concluding his address. “and (He) sent down rain from the heavens; and brought forth there with fruits for your sustenance”……… “True is the Word of God.
Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh”
Under Moroccan laws, the absolute monarch traditionally opens the legislature to herald constitutionally mandated working calendars. King Mohammed VI in speaking to the legislature, therefore, fulfilled a constitutional obligation, where the speeches he reads out are considered national action plan.
