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Morocco World
03-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches Overhaul of Urban Bus Transport with $1.1 Billion National Program
Rabat – Morocco has set out on an ambitious reform of its public bus transport system, aiming to transform urban mobility across 84 cities and metropolitan areas between 2025 and 2029. Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit outlined the new strategy during a session in the House of Representatives on Monday, where he described the plan as a sharp break from past approaches to urban transport management. The program begins with 37 delegated local authorities, including 18 municipalities, 12 inter-municipal cooperation bodies, and 7 regional groupings. In this first phase, major cities such as Marrakech, Tangier, Tetouan, Agadir, Benslimane, and Fez are among the first to enter the transition. The state has earmarked MAD 11 billion ($1.1 billion) for the rollout. This funding covers the purchase of 3,746 new buses and the development of digital and physical infrastructure: ticketing systems, route planning and passenger information tools, parking areas, bus stops, signage, and maintenance facilities. 'This model turns the page on outdated methods,' said Laftit. He underlined three core principles: a clear separation between investment and daily operations, full public responsibility for infrastructure costs, and the introduction of tighter monitoring and performance controls. The financing structure rests on a three-way contribution: one-third from regional governments and two-thirds from Morocco's Road Transport Reform Support Fund. Contributions to this fund from the Ministries of Interior and Finance have increased from MAD 1 billion to MAD 1.5 billion ($100 million to $150 million), bringing the annual funding pool to MAD 3 billion ($300 million). The reform unfolds in three phases. In the first, six delegated authorities will oversee transport upgrades in 23 cities. Tenders have already been launched to appoint technical oversight teams, with engineering consultancies selected for cities like Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir, and Tetouan. At the same time, procurement efforts for 1,317 buses are underway through local development companies. Contracts have been awarded for 968 vehicles. The remaining 349 units will be subject to a second round of bidding after initial proposals fell short of technical requirements. The government has also opened tenders for smart ticketing systems and operational support platforms. Selected suppliers will be announced before mid-June. The second phase will extend to 24 more cities under 18 additional authorities. Plans include purchasing 827 new buses and recruiting future operators through competitive bidding. In the third and final phase, the government will target another 37 cities, working with 13 local authorities. This last stage will follow the expiry of existing transport contracts, paving the way for a full nationwide rollout. While these efforts mark a promising step toward improving public transport, many Moroccans remain skeptical. Urban buses in the country have long suffered from poor conditions, overcrowding, delays, and a lack of safety. Passengers often report harassment, theft, and frequent breakdowns, while accidents involving buses continue to raise serious concerns. Despite the planned overhaul, public confidence in the system remains low, and many believe that only sustained reform and strict oversight can restore trust. Tags: MoroccoMorocco transportMorocco urban busesTransportationurban buses
Daily Tribune
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
HRH Crown Prince Honours Bahrain's Top Govt Service Centres
• 29 centres receive awards • New platinum category launched • 88 percent excellence rate You Know What: Bahrain's 'Taqyeem' programme, launched in 2018, is one of the GCC's first formal government service evaluation systems designed to systematically rank and improve public service delivery. Mahir Haneef TDT| Manama His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, honoured 29 government service centres and remote service centres at Gudaibiya Palace on Tuesday with gold and platinum classifications under the fifth edition of the 'Taqyeem' evaluation programme. The awards recognised outstanding achievements in public service delivery, reflecting Bahrain's commitment to enhancing service quality across government entities. HRH Prince Salman praised the dedication of Bahraini citizens in driving the Kingdom's comprehensive development under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He also expressed pride in the passion and ambition of the national workforce, calling them the cornerstone of Bahrain's ongoing progress. New platinum category The fifth edition of 'Taqyeem' introduced a new platinum classification to recognise excellence at remote government service centres. HRH noted that the programme's updated evaluation criteria and broader scope align with Bahrain's digital transformation and competitiveness goals. Among the awarded entities were centres affiliated with the Ministries of Interior, Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, Transportation and Telecommunications, Justice and Islamic Affairs, and Social Development. Notable recipients included the Royal Humanitarian Foundation Customer Service Centre and several branches of the General Directorate of Traffic. Performance benchmarks The Ministry of Interior Customs Affairs remote customer service centre and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning's remote customer service centre received the inaugural platinum awards. HRH Prince Salman highlighted that these successes are not endpoints but benchmarks to further raise service standards across Bahrain's public sector. According to programme data, 88 percent of government service centres met the excellence criteria, with 56 of 64 entities achieving at least 90 percent of the set benchmarks. Continuous improvement Since the inception of 'Taqyeem', 58 underperforming centres have been closed or merged to improve efficiency, ensuring continued access to high-quality services for citizens, residents, and visitors. HRH Prince Salman commended ministries that maintained high standards or significantly improved over time. He also acknowledged the evaluation committee's role in advancing innovation and efficiency across government operations. Ministers and officials of the recognised centres expressed gratitude for the honour, stating that the awards serve as both a badge of distinction and a motivation to further enhance services for Bahrain's people. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and other senior officials attended the ceremony.
Arab Times
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait Revokes 66 Citizenship Files Linked to Single Forgery Case
KUWAIT CITY, April 12: As the Supreme Committee for Citizenship Investigation continues to examine various cases—mainly those involving forgery and serious fraudulent activity, the recent decision to revoke the citizenship of 66 individuals stems from a single case. This case involved one individual whose forged citizenship file led to the registration of 66 people under false pretenses. According to sources, the original case involved a deceased man who falsely obtained Kuwaiti citizenship in the 1960s and was registered under Article 1 of a Kuwaiti citizen's file. He and two of his sons worked in the oil sector, while his other sons held positions in the Ministries of Interior, Education, and Electricity. Investigations by the Nationality Investigations Department uncovered suspicions of forgery. The inquiry revealed that the deceased's sons had an uncle living in Kuwait who held Syrian citizenship and hailed from a village in Al Bukamal. DNA testing confirmed that this man was indeed the brother of the deceased and the biological uncle of his sons, exposing the forged identity. The Syrian uncle had previously been registered as "bedoun" (stateless) and worked for the Ministry of Defense. He declared his original Syrian nationality in the year 2000 when the government urged "bedoun" individuals to disclose their true nationalities or risk losing government jobs. Further investigations revealed that the uncle's wife had also fraudulently obtained Kuwaiti citizenship, which was revoked in late 2024. Her father's citizenship had been revoked in 2001, but she managed to regain citizenship in 2012 due to her good conduct—only to have it revoked again in 2024. Sources also disclosed that the original citizenship file used by the deceased Syrian was previously flagged as forged. One of its registrants had their citizenship revoked in November 2024. Authorities emphasized that any file suspected of forgery remains under ongoing investigation until it is definitively proven clean, confirming that all listed individuals are legitimate descendants of the original citizen.
Arab Times
27-03-2025
- Arab Times
Raffle Rigging Scandal: 58 Under Investigation, Airport Arrests Continue
KUWAIT CITY, March 28: A security source informed that the number of individuals under investigation in the recent Ya Hala raffle fraud case has risen to 58, including 25 expatriates of various nationalities. The source revealed that the primary suspect in the case was presented before the Public Prosecution the day before yesterday. During the hearing, he was confronted with the evidence gathered by detectives, and a decision was issued to extend his detention pending further investigation. According to the source, all individuals linked to the case—whether Kuwaiti citizens or expatriates, including those under suspicion or those who won prizes multiple times in previous years—have been placed on travel ban or arrest lists. The source described the case as complex, noting that some individuals have already been summoned for questioning, while others will face the same procedure in due course. Attempts to Flee Thwarted The source added that anyone implicated in the raffle scam who attempts to leave the country will be intercepted at the airport and transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department. Notably, three suspects were recently arrested at the airport while trying to flee. In the past few hours, joint task forces from the Ministries of Interior and Commerce have been formed to identify and place all suspects—citizens and expatriates alike—on travel ban lists. Confessions and Key Findings During interrogation, the main suspect admitted that his association with the accused woman and her husband began in 2021. He disclosed that he facilitated her first prize win of 20,000 dinars and five additional prizes, including luxury vehicles. He also enabled her husband to win cash and in-kind rewards. The suspect further revealed that his initial connection to the couple was through an expatriate who has since fled to his home country. Forensic analysis of the main suspect's and the accused's phones uncovered communications with individuals from two other countries. Investigators found that the accused had received prizes from these countries, with most of the prize money being funneled back to her. Ongoing Manhunt and Further Investigations The source confirmed that other key suspects remain at large, and legal measures have been taken to authorize detectives—armed with prosecution orders and initial investigation reports—to locate and interrogate them. In the coming days, investigation teams will pursue fugitive suspects, including the main suspect's accomplice, an employee who escaped last Sunday morning. While his identity is known, authorities have declined to disclose his current whereabouts. Scrutiny of Past Winners All past winners of major raffle prizes will be summoned for questioning to determine how much money was withdrawn from their accounts immediately or shortly after their wins—and where those funds were directed. Assurances to the Public The source reassured Kuwaiti citizens and expats that the case is being handled with utmost diligence, emphasizing that all involved parties—inside or outside Kuwait—will be pursued. Strict measures are in place to prevent suspects from leaving the country, as all ports have been provided with updated travel ban lists. Additional Revelations Detainees have provided statements implicating others, including an expatriate of a different nationality, whom the main accused allegedly helped win four prizes. This individual has since been arrested. When asked whether the main suspect acted alone, the source replied, 'At this stage, it appears so, but the fugitive expatriate's testimony may reveal additional accomplices.' The total value of the cash and in-kind prizes uncovered is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dinars. Investigators also discovered software on the main suspect's computer capable of rigging raffle outcomes, allowing him to predetermine winners even among tens of thousands of participants.
Morocco World
08-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Tangier Airport's $327 Million Extension to Triple Passenger Capacity
Doha – A major expansion project for Tangier Ibn Batouta Airport has been allocated MAD 3.27 billion ($327 million), with completion scheduled for June 2029. The project aims to triple the airport's annual passenger capacity from 2 million to 7 million travelers. This will support Morocco's preparations for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the North African country will co-host with Spain and Portugal. The expansion, spanning 199 hectares, will include construction of a new passenger terminal, control tower, aircraft parking areas, and vehicle parking facilities. Modern amenities such as E-Gate systems and intelligent digital infrastructure will be integrated into the new facilities. A partnership agreement has been approved by multiple stakeholders, including the Ministries of Interior, Islamic Affairs, Finance, Equipment and Water, and Transport and Logistics. The National Airports Office (ONDA), the Wilaya of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, the Regional Council, Tangier Municipal Council, and the Loukkos Hydraulic Basin Agency are also signatories to the convention. The project falls within Morocco's broader aviation development strategy, which includes a nationwide investment of MAD 42 billion ($4.2 billion) in airport expansion projects by 2030. Read also: After Casablanca, Marrakech Airport Removes Entry Security Scanners This comprehensive plan, known as 'Airports 2030,' aims to modernize major airports across the country, including Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fez, Tetouan, and Agadir. Morocco's airports recorded prodigious growth in 2024, handling 32.7 million passengers, a 21% increase from the previous year. International passenger traffic rose by 20%, while domestic travel saw a 30% increase. The country's aviation authorities project passenger traffic to reach 60 million by 2030 and 90 million by 2035. A steering committee, chaired by the Wali of the region, will oversee the Tangier airport expansion project. The committee will coordinate with all partnering entities to ensure timely completion and address any challenges during implementation. The expansion project includes the development of new access roads and seeks to enhance the region's tourism and economic growth while meeting increasing air traffic demands, particularly in preparation for upcoming major events. This comes after FIFA's evaluation report in December 2024 gave Tangier low ratings for infrastructure, scoring 2.2 out of 5 for accommodation and 2.6 for transportation. In January, Mayor Mounir Laymouri announced comprehensive plans to address these challenges, including a MAD 1.124 billion ($112.4 million) investment in new public transportation and the implementation of the city's first high-quality urban bus transit line. The mayor stressed that the city would 'spare no effort' to ensure the success of both AFCON 2025 and the 2030 World Cup. The airport, formerly known as Tanger-Boukhalef Airport, is named after Ibn Battuta (1304-1368), a renowned Moroccan traveler who was born in Tangier. Tags: Moroccan Airports Authority (ONDA)Tangier Ibn Batouta Airport
