Minister of Public Works, Basic Infrastructure tackles sector-related programs, achievements
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The Minister of Public Works and Basic Infrastructure, Mr. Lakhdar Rekhroukh gave before the People’s National Assembly’s members, a thorough presentation on the sector’ strategy, programs and achievements.
At the outset, the minister tackled this strategic sector-related programs, including airport, ports, railway, road and motorway infrastructure, the maintenance of road infrastructure and the improvement of public service. Issues relating to the financial situation of the sector and its digitization were also tabled.
Noting that the public infrastructure refers to the country or state construction, facilities, concrete, systems, and other structures government owns and maintains, Mr. Rekhroukh highlighted the importance of the public works and basic infrastructure sector in generating jobs and creating dynamic and comprehensive growth and opportunities.
“It is internationally agreed that the countries that are characterized by economic efficiency and modernity are those with a dense and efficient network of basic infrastructure, being an important source of meeting labor demands and achieving economic growth,” he pointed out.
With regards to the main axes of the sector program, the minister stressed on his ministerial department’s determination “to continue to implement already-launched development programs, the maintenance of the basic infrastructure, as well as the launch of new investment projects”.
In a related context, he explained that the government was paying a particular interest to the maintenance of the basic infrastructure with a dramatic and immediate impact upon lifestyle. Apart from the instant benefits of accessing hospitals and health specialists, schooling for our children, and markets for business and trading to create wealth and jobs, the minister underlined that “the neglected infrastructure will inevitably cause assets to degrade or decay, which ultimately affects the local economy and increases replacement costs”.
The minister did not fail to refer to the digitalization of the sector, noting that the process would maximize the facility’s long-term sustainability and minimize its total life-cycle cost.
