BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS, Algeria – President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s visit to the province of Djelfa was marked by the inauguration and inspection of several significant development projects, reaffirming his commitments to the local population. The visit, which took place on Sunday, showcased the president’s determination to deliver on his promises and introduce transformative measures.
Accompanied by Army General Said Chengriha, Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army, and a high-level ministerial delegation, President Tebboune embarked on a tour that left an indelible mark on Djelfa.
In a move of great significance, the President inaugurated the Colonel Ahmed Ben Cherif Cancer Treatment Center, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to provide advanced healthcare facilities. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and is expected to serve not only Djelfa but also the surrounding regions.
On this occasion, President Tebboune received comprehensive explanations about the crucial project that spans an area of approximately 5 hectares, with a cost exceeding 6 billion da.
The establishment of the CAC fulfills one of the commitments made by the President of the Republic to the wilaya’s residents during the 2019 presidential election campaign. Launched in March 2021, this project was entrusted to the company “COSIDER” in October 2020 and was completed ahead of schedule, receiving its inauguration last July.
The new CAC will be equipped with three accelerators, with an allocated budget of 2.7 billion da. With a capacity of 120 beds, the center is staffed by 70 doctors, 15 specialist physiologists, and 250 paramedics. This facility can provide treatment sessions for 150 patients per day, along with the same number of daily medical examinations, and an average of 10 to 20 surgical interventions per day.
The center encompasses various specialized hospital services, including brachytherapy, scintigraphy, radioanalysis, and metabolic brachytherapy. It also features a pharmacy, an operating theater, an intensive care unit, nuclear medicine beds, and separate oncology departments for adults and children.
It is worth noting that this center commenced operations immediately after its inauguration, welcoming its first patients who expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic for establishing this healthcare facility, which significantly reduces the need for patients and their guardians to travel to the centers in Blida and Algiers.
President Tebboune also launched the “Boughezoul-Guelma-El Oued” railway line, enhancing transportation infrastructure in the region.
The Boughezoul-Djelfa rail link, with its inauguration, signifies a substantial step towards improved transportation connectivity and logistics within Algeria. It’s a testament to the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, which, in turn, fosters economic growth and social advancement. This rail line will facilitate the movement of goods and people, reducing transportation costs and boosting trade across the regions it serves.
President Tebboune’s directive to accelerate the completion of the line and extend it to Tamanrasset reflects his visionary approach to national development. Extending the railway to Tamanrasset, a wilaya located deep in the southern desert region, will not only connect remote areas but also promote economic activities, tourism, and cultural exchange in the region.
Furthermore, President Tebboune inaugurated the first specialized medical college in the province, reinforcing educational opportunities in the field of medicine.
The medicine annex in Djelfa, which opened for the 2023-2024 academic year, has enrolled 188 students who are all recent high school graduates with honors.
The introduction of the medicine specialty at Ziane Achour University is a response to the local population’s demands and is in line with President Tebboune’s commitments. In addition to the medicine program, the University of Djelfa has also launched a veterinary sciences training course.
The visit to Djelfa brought forth the announcement of the “AADL 3” housing program, set to commence at the beginning of the next year, offering over 600,000 residential units. Subsequent decrees will outline the conditions and procedures for participating in this significant housing program, which is expected to be the largest of its kind in Algeria. This innovative program enables individuals to eventually own their homes outright after the stipulated lease period.
The President also signaled the start of a massive reforestation effort, covering approximately 400,000 hectares as part of the “Green Dam Revival” project.
President Tebboune oversaw the launch of this project. This initiative carries both environmental and economic significance, representing a significant milestone in enhancing the environment and economy.
The first phase of the project, focusing on reforestation, aims to cover 400,000 hectares by 2026. This project encompasses 13 provinces, 183 municipalities, and 1,200 areas, extending from the east to the west of the country, benefitting more than 7 million people. One million hectares will be reforested with different species of trees, particularly fruit trees that hold significant economic value and are more resilient to the steppe climate.
President Tebboune, who symbolically planted a tree, supervised the reforestation operation, which involved elements from the wilayas forest conservation, Algerian Muslim scouts, and representatives from civil society.
The green dam stretches across the wilayas of Naâma, El Bayadh, Laghouat, Djelfa, Médéa, Bouira, Msila, Batna, Khenchela, Tébessa, Sétif, Bordj Bou Arreridj, and Biskra, benefiting over 7 million inhabitants.
The implementation of the green dam project falls under the responsibility of forest conservation, the agricultural services directorates of the relevant wilayas, and the High Commission for Steppe Development (HCDS). The project will be carried out over a span of seven years.
During the Council of Ministers meeting on August 30, 2020, the President of the Republic emphasized the importance of revitalizing the green dam project with the active participation of all stakeholders, particularly civil society.
Warm, Enthusiastic Reception in Djelfa for President Tebboune
The people of Djelfa extended a heartfelt and exuberant welcome to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune during his official visit to the region. This remarkable event showcased the unwavering support and enthusiasm of the local population for their leader and the ongoing development initiatives in the country.
As President Tebboune made his way towards the regional headquarters, an enormous crowd of citizens lined the streets, exuding a sense of serenity and calm as they held up welcoming banners. Residents of Djelfa and neighboring regions joined together to create an unforgettable reception that truly matched the stature of the President.
President Tebboune took the opportunity to personally greet and converse with many of the citizens who had gathered to welcome him. This personal touch added to the warmth and intimacy of the occasion, reinforcing the strong connection between the leader and his people.
The citizens’ presence was not just a display of hospitality; it was a clear message of support for the construction of a ‘New Algeria.’ They expressed their wholehearted endorsement of the President’s vision for a prosperous and progressive Algeria.
The warm reception in Djelfa was not limited to the celebration of President Tebboune’s leadership; it was also a platform for expressing solidarity with Palestine. The presence of Palestinian flags and slogans in support of the Palestinian people’s right to an independent state and the defense of their homeland was a prominent feature of the event.
In this vein, President Tebboune dismissed the accusations of terrorism against the Palestinian resistance, drawing parallels to the French colonial accusations against Algerian revolutionaries, invoking the words of the heroic martyr, Larbi Ben M’hidi. Furthermore, the President strongly condemned the Zionist aggression in Gaza, denouncing it as “crimes against humanity.”
For their part, the citizens of Djelfa expressed their pride in Algeria’s honorable stance on the international stage, particularly under the leadership of President Tebboune, in advocating for the Palestinian cause. The Algerian government’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people, especially in the face of recent conflicts, was a testament to the nation’s commitment to justice and peace.
The warm welcome for President Tebboune in Djelfa was more than just a reception; it was a moment of unity. The citizens of Djelfa, standing together with their President, showcased their dedication to a better future for Algeria and their support for just causes worldwide. The event exemplified the spirit of community, solidarity, and hope that continues to drive Algeria forward under the leadership of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
In conclusion, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s visit to Djelfa exemplified a dedication to the fulfillment of promises, the unveiling of transformative projects, and the issuance of crucial decisions that bode well for the region’s development and the well-being of its citizens.
