The majority of monuments in Morocco benefit from restoration and rehabilitation programs
The majority of the most visited monuments and historical sites in Morocco benefit from rehabilitation, restoration and enhancement programs in a continuous and sustainable manner, said Monday, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaïd.
The year 2022 witnessed a restoration program for a number of historic sites, including the Portuguese city of El Jadida, the historic wall of the Hassan mosque and the Chellah site in Rabat, the Lixus historic site in Larache, Aghmat in Marrakech, Volubilis in Meknes, the Merinid Madrasa in Salé, the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah Museum in Essaouira, the Badii Palace, the Bahia Palace, the Menara Pavilion and the Saadian Tombs in Marrakech, in addition to the historic site of Agadir Oufella , explained Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, in response to an oral question to the House of Representatives.
During this year, an envelope of 4 million dirhams was devoted to the launch of the restoration and technical studies for the benefit of these historic sites, noted the minister, adding that his department also contributes to the rehabilitation of a number monuments placed under the responsibility of local authorities and regional councils, in addition to support in heritage matters with a view to creating convergence between the interventions of the State and those of regional and local councils. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid also pointed out that the ministry’s plan is in no way limited to a single restoration of these sites but rather to the establishment of a tourist plan allowing them to accommodate entertainment and commercial spaces to put in place place an economic dynamic, to make it a tourist destination of choice for Moroccans and foreigners and to consecrate the concept of cultural tourism.
The official also noted that the ministerial decision on the creation of the “Morocco Label” goes through the legislative steps necessary for its implementation, adding that currently the work is focused on the revision of the law on the protection of cultural heritage. national, which will soon be presented to the General Secretariat of the Government. On the awareness-raising side, the ministry organizes activities and events throughout the year through conferences and festivals to promote Moroccan heritage, noted the minister, noting that the importance of these activities increases during the month of heritage ( from April 18 to May 18).
On the creation of youth centers in rural areas, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid affirmed that the ministry aims within the framework of its action plan to expand them in partnership with local authorities according to the needs expressed, by contributing to the financing and implementation of joint management mechanisms between these establishments, the ministry, the communities concerned and the ministries of agriculture and employment. To date, the ministry has 670 youth centers, spread over the regions and provinces of the Kingdom, including 378 establishments in urban areas and 292 in rural areas, he said, noting that this year is planned for the equipping and upgrading 200 Youth Centers and 50 colonies.
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