He emphasized that the file will be followed up firmly at the national and international levels
The Minister of State, Minister of the Interior and Local Communities, Ibrahim Murad, revealed disturbing results of investigations and analyzes related to the pollution of the waters of Wadi Muweilh in the state of Tlemcen, confirming the recording of dangerous levels of biological and chemical pollutants, pharmaceutical materials and heavy metals, which exceeded acceptable standards by tens and hundreds of times.
Murad explained that the analyzes and experiments carried out proved that there was actual and serious pollution affecting the valley’s water and water resources, which caused the death of thousands of fish and the deterioration of the ecosystem, in an indication of the extent of the damage to the region.
He pointed out that the phenomenon is mainly due to the discharge of domestic and urban wastewater and industrial waste without subjecting it to prior treatment, in addition to agricultural activities and the use of fertilizers and pesticides whose waste is poured directly into waterways.
He stressed that protecting the citizen and ensuring his water and health security, in addition to preserving the environmental balance and biodiversity, represent basic priorities for the state, stressing that the environmental attacks and practices that caused this situation are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
In this context, he pledged to take strict legal measures against those involved in these violations, obliging the parties causing the pollution to treat their water before discharging it, and putting an end to practices that threaten water resources and public health.
He also stressed that the authorities will firmly follow up on the issue at the national and international levels, given the violations these violations represent of international charters and agreements related to the protection of the environment and water resources.
On Tuesday morning, upon the commission of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Mourad arrived in the state of Tlemcen, at the head of a ministerial delegation that included the Minister of Environment and Quality of Life, Kawthar Krikou, the Minister of Irrigation, Lounes Bouzgza, the Minister of Health, Mohamed Siddiq Ait Messaoudane, and the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Bouslemani, to inspect the situation in Wadi Muweilh and find out the repercussions of the pollution affecting it.
Murad said, in a brief press statement, that the goal of the visit is “to take the necessary measures to confront the problem of pollution of the Oued Muwailih stream, the main supply for the Hammam Bougrara Dam, after a committee consisting of several experts had previously been sent to examine the effects of pollution in the region.”
He explained, “The conditions in the region are very worrying, as confirmed by local authorities and citizens.”
The visit falls within the framework of inspecting and taking the necessary measures to confront the pollution of the Wadi Muwaileh stream, the main supplier of the Hammam Bou Gharara Dam, after a committee of experts from several sectors had previously examined the effects of pollution in the region.
