Developmental Projects and Investments in Chinguetti: A 3.9 Billion Ouguiya Initiative for Heritage and Infrastructure
The Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament, Hassan Ould Medou, confirmed that the historic city of Chinguetti will receive a financial allocation of 3.9 billion old Ouguiya for the first time as part of the developmental component of the Heritage Cities Festival, which the city is hosting.
Ould Medou explained during a meeting with the city’s residents on Saturday that this funding allocation is a continuation of what was initiated during the Oudane Festival, which also included a dedicated developmental component. He added that President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani fulfilled his commitment to implementing infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Aïr-Chinguetti road, which is already underway with a financial allocation exceeding 12 billion Ouguiya to alleviate the city’s isolation.
The minister also highlighted that 18 governmental sectors are involved in the development component, with the ministerial committee, headed by the Prime Minister, determining the interventions related to the festival. These interventions include providing employment opportunities, ensuring access to water and electricity, creating income-generating projects, and improving the city’s infrastructure.
Ould Medou outlined several specific projects, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which will renovate and equip the Youth House, create a sports and cultural space, provide sports equipment, and fund small projects worth 27 million Ouguiya. The Ministry of Vocational Training will establish and equip a vocational training center and support women’s and craft cooperatives.
The Minister also mentioned the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Original Education’s efforts to build a specialized institute for Qur’anic studies, as well as renovating the old mosque. The Ministry of Education will provide school uniforms and books, build new school facilities, and expand existing schools to meet growing demands.
In terms of health, the Ministry of Health will provide a state nurse, a dentist, and five community health technicians, along with an ambulance and a well-equipped laboratory. The Ministry of Digital Transformation will enhance communication infrastructure, digitize manuscripts, and create an online heritage portal for the city.
The Ministry of Energy will integrate solar power into the city’s station, expand the electricity network to cover the northern neighborhoods, and provide electricity to over 200 plots of land. The Ministry of Agriculture will equip 65 wells with solar-powered pumps, build water barriers to protect the oases, and provide a tractor to support rain-fed agriculture.
Ould Medou also confirmed that the Ministry of Tourism would support local hotels with 50 million Ouguiya, expand guesthouse allocations to benefit over 270 homes, and provide training for tourist guides.
The Ministry of Housing will renovate vital buildings, including the National Institution for the Protection of Old Cities, and restore 200 plots of land. The Ministry of Equipment and Transport will speed up work on the Aïr-Chinguetti road and repair other local roads.
The Ministry of Water will build a water tank with a capacity of 100 cubic meters, equip several wells with pumps, and extend the network to new areas. The Ministry of Social Affairs will construct and equip a children’s daycare center and support people with special needs, while the Ministry of Environment will combat desertification by planting trees and stabilizing the sands along 10 hectares.
Finally, the Tazir Commission will fund the establishment of a poultry farm, slaughterhouse, fish market, and couscous production unit. They will also provide support in the form of gas bottles, as well as funding for traditional crafts and sewing workshops. The National Food Security Commission will provide free food distributions and finance income-generating projects in agriculture, crafts, and women’s cooperatives.
