On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Mr. Tarik Hamane, General Director of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), received an important delegation at the Sidi Allal Tazi wastewater treatment plant, composed of ambassadors from the European Union and accredited member states in Morocco, as well as representatives from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the French Development Agency (AFD), and KfW, financial partners of ONEE.
This visit is part of the National Program for Shared Liquid Sanitation (PNAM), which aims to achieve a connection rate of 95% and a pollution reduction rate of 80% in urban areas by 2040, to equip 1,200 centers in rural areas, and to reuse 573 million m³ of treated wastewater per year.
Mr. Hamane highlighted the fruitful and lasting relationship between ONEE and the European Union, a partnership established since 1994, which has mobilized 1.6 billion dirhams for structuring projects in drinking water and liquid sanitation.
In her speech, Her Excellency Ms. Patricia Llombart Cussac, Ambassador of the European Union to Morocco, emphasized the importance of effective water resource management in the face of water stress challenges. She reaffirmed the commitment of the European Union and its member states alongside Morocco through investments and actions in favor of transparency and governance in the water sector.
On this occasion, Mr. Hamane presented the progress made by ONEE in the field of liquid sanitation. By the end of June 2024, a total investment of 17.83 billion dirhams has enabled the construction of 152 treatment plants out of the 189 existing nationwide, representing a treatment capacity of 197 million m³ per year. These achievements have been made possible thanks to the support of partners such as the European Union, EIB, AFD, KfW, and Belgian Cooperation.
The liquid sanitation project in the center of Sidi Allal Tazi, which was the subject of the visit, perfectly illustrates the success of this program. With a budget of 31 million dirhams under the second phase of PNAM, it includes the extension and rehabilitation of the network over 12 km, the establishment of 570 connections, the construction of a pumping station and a 2.4 km transfer pipeline, as well as an aerated lagoon-type treatment plant with a capacity of 1,230 m³/day, benefiting approximately 17,100 inhabitants.
In conclusion, Mr. Tarik Hamane expressed his gratitude to the European partners for their trust and support in implementing strategic projects that align with the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, May God Assist Him, for the sustainable development of the Kingdom.